A WRITING competition has been launched in partnership with Read Now Write Now and Wirral libraries for children aged between five and 11.

Called 'Wonderful Writers' the competition will run in conjunction with other summer events including puppet shows, story times, craft activities and the summer reading challenge ‘Animal Agents’.

The theme for this year’s competition is animals and detectives and there is a maximum limit of 1,000 words.

There will be two competitions one for five to eight year olds and another for nine to 11 year olds.

Judging will be based on the story and in particular its plot, characters and setting and also how it is presented and grammar.

Author Charlie Lea from Read Now Write Now will then judge each entry.

Charlie said: "With the success of Radio Two’s 500 words competition ourselves and Wirral Libraries felt it would be apt to run a similar competition to all the children in Wirral over the summer holidays.

"We hope they will find some time over the holidays to find inspiration and write some excellent stories.

"Read Now Write Now works with schools across the borough as well as home educated children and we know there are some very creative young writers out there and we cannot wait to get reading their stories.

"Thank you to the Floral Pavilion, Morrisons and Waterstones for sponsoring the prizes."

Prizes have been donated by the Floral Pavilion, Morrisons and Waterstones and are:

  • First prize five to eight category a family ticket to the Christmas panto, Peter Pan, at the Floral Pavilion.
  • First prize eight to 11 years is a family ticket to see Awful Aunties at the Floral Pavilion.
  • Second prize for both competitions a £25 Waterstones voucher sponsored by Morrisons.
  • Third prize for both competitions a £10 Waterstones voucher.

The competition will run from July 24 to September 1.

For more information visit readnowwritenow.org.uk or visit your local library.

To read about the Animal Agents reading challenge click here.