 Theoretical physicist Andrew Crumey was last night awarded the UK's biggest literary prize at a ceremony at the Baltic. Andrew won the £60,000 Northern Rock Foundation Writer's Award, which frees authors from their day jobs, allowing them to write full-time for three years. The award will enable established novelist Andrew to concentrate on his sixth book, Sputnik Caledonia, and leave his part-time job. Andrew, who lives with his wife and family in Newcastle, said: "It is wonderful. I've been juggling a job with my novels and helping bring up two young children. "Now I can concentrate all my working hours on writing. "It has come at a perfect time and is also a great show of support and confidence in the new book. I have another two books in my head and the award will give me the time to do these." The bursary, which is only for previously published authors living and working in the North- East and Cumbria, is managed by writing development agency New Writing North. Glasgow-born Andrew took a PhD in theoretical physics and was a research associate at Imperial College and Leeds University before moving to Newcastle in 1992. He gave up his research career to teach at Westfield School, Gosforth, and began to write novels. His first, Music in a Foreign Language was published in 1994. Andrew's training in physics has provided rich material for his books, which question the boundaries between reality and fantasy. His novels, like Mobius Dick and Mr Mee, combine history, philosophy, science and humour and have been translated worldwide. Despite the science, the author doesn't describe his books as science fiction. Andrew, 44, said: "One big theme in my novels is chance and fate and the way lives can change." The award was judged by writer DJ Taylor, journalist Maggie Gee and poet Don Paterson. | 
