BISHOP'S Castle Arts Festival will have a something new on the programme next year - a children's short story competition with a signed copy of War Horse as the top prize.

The contest has been set up by 11 year old Chloe Lambart and she says, “The festival is in February and is on over half term, so there are a lot of children around. I think there should be more things for children to get involved in at the festival, so I am running this competition and hope lots of them will take part.”

Chloe herself is very keen on writing and earlier this year she entered the BBC 500 Words competition for young writers.

Although she was not a winner, she went to the Globe Theatre in London for the prize giving where she met Michael Morpurgo.

Michael signed a copy of his bestseller War Horse for Chloe and this volume makes up the top prize for the older entrants in her competition.

Chloe continues, “Our Bishop's Castle librarian Tara Lewis has said she will be the judge and there are are two age categories in the competition, nine years and under and 10 to 13. The story should be exciting and between six and 500 words long.”

Chloe points out that there is no theme or particular style of writing required and all the entries must be submitted by email.

To find out more please contact Chloe on amythestoryteller@hotmail.com. The closing date is January 15.