PRIMARY school pupils across the borough will be picking up their pens to compete for the Dudley young writer of the year title.

The competition aims to celebrate the best in children’s fiction, non-fiction and poetry and showcase the talents of seven to 11-year-olds.

There will be two categories – for seven to nine-year-olds and ten to 11 year-old - and the winner will be announced at a ceremony in July this year.

Pauline Sharratt, Dudley's interim director of children’s services, said: “We have some wonderfully talented young people in our schools across the borough.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for children to showcase what they can do, and I’m looking forward to seeing some of the work they produce later this year.”

Entries could include newspaper reports, discussions, poems or any kind of creative writing.

Prizes for the winners will include certificates, trophies and vouchers, from borough businesses including The Ryemarket and Waitrose supermarket in Stourbridge, Waterstones at Merry Hill, Stourbridge Rotary Club, Less4Office Supplies and Dudley Council.

Visit www.edu.dudley.gov.uk/primary/writer to find out more about the competition.