A GLASGOW author has scooped the most prestigious award in the literary world for his debut novel based on his life in the city. 

Douglas Stuart, 44, was crowned this year's Booker Prize winner for Shuggie Bain, a story about growing up in poverty in the 1980s with a mother battling addiction. 

He becomes the second Scot to claim the £50,000 award with his book dedicated to his mum, who passed away when he was only 16. 

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Speaking to the BBC, Stuart, who now lives in New York, said: "I am absolutely stunned and didn't expect that at all.

"I'd like to thank my mother. I've been clear she is the inspiration for this book and without her I wouldn't be here. 

"I'd like to thank my fellow finalist. Thank you to the Booker judges for recognising Shuggie Bain. 

"I think I am only the second Scottish winner in 50 years and that means a lot for regional voices and working class stories.

"Thanks to the people of Scotland, especially Glaswegians whose empathy and humour and love and struggle are in every word of this book." 

He added: "I grew up in Glasgow in the 1980s which was a tough time for a lot of people there. My mother unfortunately suffered from addiction and died from that addiction.

"She died when I was still a child and so for 30 years I have carried a lot of love and loss and pain. 

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"I want to tell the stories of what it was like to grow up in Glasgow with parents you loved but couldn't save.

"Shuggie is a work of fiction but writing the book was incredibly healing for me. Men from the west coast of Scotland are not expected to express their feelings."