A ‘LOST’ story by Lake District children’s author Beatrix Potter will be published for the first time in September, more than 100 years after it was written.

The book, called ‘The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots’, will finally be seen by readers after being rediscovered by Jo Hanks, publisher of Beatrix Potter's works for Penguin Random House.

Hanks first came across a reference to the undiscovered manuscript in an out-of-print literary history about the author two years ago.

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".

This led Hanks to the Victoria and Albert Museum, where many of Potter’s writings are archived, and where she found three manuscripts of the tale.

It tells the story of Miss Kitty, who sneaks out to go hunting and meets the villainous fox Mr Tod.

Letters in the archive revealed that Potter had meant to finish the story, but ‘interruptions began’ such as World War One, her marriage to Hawkshead solicitor William Heelis, farming and illness.

Although famous for illustrating her own stories, Potter only completed one drawing for The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots.

The drawings for the book will therefore be done by illustrator Quentin Blake, best known for illustrating Roald Dahl's books.

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almost incredible when, early in 2015, I was sent the manuscript of a story by Beatrix Potter, one which had lain unpublished for 100 years and which, with the exception of a single drawing, she had never illustrated."

He went on to say he liked the story instantly and added: "I have a strange feeling that it might have been waiting for me."

Hanks 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."

The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots will be published by Frederick Warne & Co, Beatrix Potter’s original publisher, and now an imprint of Penguin Random House children’s books.

Describing the story as ‘the best of Beatrix Potter', Hanks said it featured “double identities, devious villains” and even an appearance from an “older, slower and portlier” Peter Rabbit.