PUPILS at Hatherleigh Primary School focused on creative writing when prize-winning author Adam Marek launched a short story competition at their school last week.

To inspire them, they joined in a three-hour workshop with word exercises.

The competition is being run by Arvon, a national charity with a base near Sheepwash that encourages creative writing. It is open to all children at a state school in Devon.

The competition is open to three age groups: seven to ten years; 11 to 14 and 15 to 18 years. Stories should not exceed 500 words, must be entirely fictional and the entrant’s own work.

Winners will be presented with prizes and invited to read their work at the Hatherleigh Festival in July.

Judges will be Michael Morpurgo, Emma Carroll and Yemisi Turner Blake. For more information go to: www.arvon.org/competition