A story written by children’s author Beatrix Potter more than 100 years ago will be published in September.

The manuscript, titled The Tale Of Kitty-In-Boots, was rediscovered two years ago by publisher Jo Hanks.

Illustrator Quentin Blake, best known for illustrating Roald Dahl’s books, will be doing the drawings for the tale.

Blake said: “It seemed almost incredible when, early in 2015, I was sent the manuscript of a story by Beatrix Potter, one which had lain unpublished for a hundred years and which, with the exception of a single drawing, she had never illustrated.”

He said he liked the story instantly and added: “I have a strange feeling that it might have been waiting for me.”

Hanks, publisher of Potter’s works for Penguin Random House, said Blake was the perfect choice to illustrate the new tale because he “understands what makes a story engaging for children and adults, just as Potter did”.

Two years ago Hanks found a reference to the manuscript in a out-of-print literary history about the author.

The book referenced a letter that Potter had sent her publisher back in 1914, in which she mentioned the new tale and described it as being about “a well-behaved prime black Kitty cat, who leads rather a double life”.

Potter’s children’s book The Tale Of Peter Rabbit was an instant success after being picked up in 1902 by British children’s publisher Frederick Warne & Co.

This year marks the 150th anniversary since Potter’s birth.

PA