Ralph Fiennes to judge British book award

LONDON, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Actor Ralph Fiennes has joined the final judging panel for Britain's Whitbread Book Awards for 2003.

Other judges include broadcaster Joan Bakewell, author Bill Bryson, award-winning author Meera Syal, and actress Liza Tarbuck.

The overall amount for the award, which was established in 1971, totals 50,000 pounds ($87,150) with the winner of each category getting 5,000 pounds ($8,175) and the overall winner an additional 25,000 pounds ($43,575).

The categories include novel, first novel, poetry, biography and children's books.

David Almond, who has already won the Nestle Smarties book prize for his children's book, "Fire Eaters," is among the authors shortlisted for the Whitbread.

As part of its program to promote literacy, specially trained Whitbread employees visit schools and help children improve reading skills.

The prize will be decided on Tuesday, Jan. 27, and awarded at a ceremony later that evening at The Brewery.