WORDSMITHS from Hartlepool have been presented with prizes for winning a writing competition.

The contest was based on the theme Why I Am Proud of Hartlepool.

The brief was for entrants to submit a hand-written piece of between 50 and 100 words, placing emphasis on the environmental appeal of the town.

The winners in each age category were presented with Asda vouchers, and all received certificates.

The competition was organised as part of Spring Clean Hartlepool, an initiative by the council to improve the cleanliness of the town.

Keeley Metcalfe, the council's community environmental action officer, said: "I want to thank all entrants for supporting the competition and I'd like to congratulate them on the quality of their work."

The results were as follows: Under five years, Amy Crowther; five to seven years, Tyler Dugdale; eight to 11 years, (1) Robyn Timothy, (2) Regina Lee, (3) Jordan Hart, highly commended Bethany Howe; 12 to 18 years, Maria Lee; adult (1) Dennis Wilson, (2) Hilda Maguire.