A COMPETITION for primary school children to produce a 'spooky' story has been won by a nine-year-old with a spine-chilling tale.

A total of 36 children from Mary Tavy and Brentor, Whitchurch Community Primary, Tavistock Community Primary and St Peter's Junior Schools entered the competition, organised by Tavistock Lions Club and Children's Hospice South West.

The judges, who enjoyed reading all the stories, eventually chose the story written by nine-year-old Louis Fevrier from Whitchurch Community Primary School as the winner.

'What was that noise?'

by Louis Fevrier

I STOPPED at the entrance to the tunnel and listened carefully again.

It was dark and I could feel hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.

Although I knew that workmen were in the tunnel, my sixth sense disagreed with reality; how could there be monsters in this lonely tunnel? As I edged closer to the blackness, a formidable sight filled my eyes: mouldering away with a headlight by its side, was the body of an unfortunate workman.

Adrenalin. How could I experience it so many times? Every time the tiniest sound reached my ears, I was alert. I examined the entrance of the tunnel, then curiosity won my mental battle and I took a step forward into blackness. More decaying bodies appeared in my vision, the culprit, however, was not to be seen.

My sense, defeated, lay low, and I continued to edge cautiously through the murky blackness.

Suddenly, an intimidating figure appeared, I dropped my torch and ran! Easier said than done!

Heavy rainfall over the past few days caused me to slip and slide all over the place! As I turned my head to observe the distance between me and my opponent, I noticed that he was quite transparent.

Fear asked me to run faster — I obeyed. Turning my head to face the opening to daylight, I ran as if my life depended on it (which it did!)

More ghostly figures appeared, blocking my entrance to freedom and reality. I took a deep breath, bracing myself for the biggest risk I'd ever taken, and dived through the ghosts and out of the tunnel, unfortunately breaking my arm as I did so.

As soon as I was out of the tunnel, the figures disappeared, ready to haunt another unfortunate hiker, like they did to me.