It's a North-East one-two-three in the inaugural junior section of the national short story competition run by The Northern Echo.

More than 50 writers aged 11 to 16 entered and the winner was 16-year-old Amy Hornsby, of Eaglescliffe, Teesside, with a hard-hitting story about domestic violence.

Jane Williamson, from Darlington, came second and third was Ruth Ellen Parlour, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, both aged 15.

All win Ottakar's gift vouchers, which will be presented at a ceremony at Darlington Arts Centre on June 7.

The competition was organised by Inscribe Media Limited and backed by Orange and Darlington Arts Centre.

Judges Fiona Ritchie Walker, a writer from Tyneside, and Darlington writer John Dean said: "The standard of entries was excellent and there was evidence of the young writers reading, as well as being aware of issues."

Shortlisted were Christopher Foxon, from Newcastle, Abigail Greaves, from Oxford, Jade Hall, from Hurworth, near Darlington, and Emma Gregg, from Newton Aycliffe.

The winning stories will be posted on The Northern Echo's website www.theshort story.co.uk within the next few days.

* Stories by the winners in the adult category, announced a few days ago, have been included in an Italian-based European web magazine, which showcases the best of new writing talent.

Literati has backed the competition and hopes the move will help the winning writers gain more exposure for their work. It can be accessed on http://literati.net