WRITERS entering a short story competition launched in the North-East are being given the chance to attend the ceremony for an influential fiction prize.

The national Short Story Competition was launched in January, organised by Darlington-based Inscribe Media Ltd, backed by The Northern Echo, Orange and Darlington Arts Centre.

Now it has been announced that, in addition to the £300 first prize, the winner will receive a two-night trip to the presentation of the Orange Prize for Fiction on June 8.

The winner and a partner, who must live in Britain, will travel first class to London by train, receive hotel accommodation for two nights and two tickets to the event. The trip will also include a ticket for a shortlist reading on June 7 and spending money.

The Orange Prize for Fiction, established in 1995, has become the UK's most prestigious award for women's fiction. It is awarded to the best published novel by a woman each year. The judges this time include broadcaster, comedian and author Sandi Toksvig, and author Minette Walters. The winner receives £30,000.

Orange has also sponsored The Short Story Competition because it believes aspiring writers should be encouraged and already 120 entries have been received.

Maureen Dixon, regional PR and sponsorship manager for Orange, said: "The Short Story competition is a welcome addition to our literature portfolio and promises to highlight the wealth of writing talent both in the region and beyond."

Designed for writers aged 17 or over, the closing date for the free competition is March 31. The maximum length of stories is 3,000 words and full details of rules and conditions are available on The North- ern Echo website at www.the shortstory.co.uk or by sending a stamped addressed envelope to John Dean, care of The Northern Echo Newsdesk, PO Box 14, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 1NF.

For useful tips on writing, log on to www.orangelaby-rinth.co.uk