Writing workshops were held at a North-East arts centre yesterday.

The events were part of Darlington Arts Centre's support for The Short Story Competition, also backed by The Northern Echo and Orange.

Workshops at the centre were hosted by creative writing tutors Scott Young, who took the junior class, and John Dean, who ran the adult class, both concentrating on short story writing.

Mr Young said: "It is obvious that there is a lot of enthusiasm among people of all ages for writing."

The short story competition closes on March 31 and already a number of entries have been received.

The maximum length of stories for the adult category is 3,000 words. First prize is £300. Stories for the junior category must be no more than 2,000 words and winners, who must be aged between 11 and 16, will receive a book token donated by Darlington bookstore Ottakar's.

Writers are asked to clearly mark which category they are entering.

Full rules are available on The Northern Echo website at www.theshortstory.co.uk or by sending a stamped addressed envelope to John Dean, The Northern Echo Newsdesk, PO Box 14, Darlington DL1 1NF. Leaflets are available at selected venues.

For more information about the competition, log onto www.theshortstory. co.uk or, for tips on writing, www.orangelabyrinth.co.uk