Young writers in East Devon are being urged to put pen to paper over the summer holidays and come up with their own original story.

Honiton and District Writer’s Group is once again running the 2014 East Devon Young Writers Competition.

The competition, which is being sponsored by The Gibbons Family Trust, was a storming success last year - attracting 400 entries.

There are three age categories, juniors five to eight, seniors 11 to 15, and 16 to 18. Participants are invited to write an original story of up to 750 on any subject.

John Carter, one of the competition’s organisers, said: “The competition is now in its seventh year and follows the great success of 2013 when we had some wonderful imaginative work from many budding young authors who obviously love writing.

“Having read through last year’s 400 entries we know there is real untapped talent out there.

“You don’t have to be at the top of the class to win, it’s your ideas and storytelling that count. So, come on you young writers, why not brush the dust of those imaginative ideas and dreams you have been storing up and once again put pen to paper and show us what you can do; even if it’s your first effort at writing a story, have a go.”

The entries will again be judged by popular children’s writer T M Alexander, author of the Tribe series of books.

Junior and senior schools are being asked to get involved but the competition is open to any young writer in East Devon can enter. The winners will receive a signed framed certificate, a gift token and a signed book.

The deadline for entries is October 21 and the winners will be announced at the end of November. Story entries need to include the title and a separate sheet with the entrant’s name, age, telephone number and address, with parent’s or teacher’s consent, to John Carter, Smokey House, Yarcombe, Honiton, Devon, EX14 9AD.

Honiton and District Writers Group meets at 7.30pm on the first Thursday of every month, accept in August, at Monkton Court Hotel, near Honiton. For more information contact John Carter by emailing johncarter1437@btinternet.com or calling 01404 861353.