WHEN it comes to telling whoppers, youngsters at Cheveley Park School, in Durham, are among the best.

Following an invitation from Durham Literature Festival organisers to celebrate Billy Liar author Keith Waterhouse's inclusion in the event, a competition was launched to find the best "lie" about the city.

The Northern Echo offered a £100 top prize for the challenge, and the winner is due to be announced when Mr Waterhouse visits Durham's St Nicholas Church on Tuesday. Entries have now closed.

Cheveley Park teacher Heather Prested entered a series of 80-word tall tales from children aged between five and ten.

Her own entry was:

"A monthly newsletter is to be issued from Durham's new university hospital. It is to give advice to allergy sufferers and those with associated health problems. It will give updates on medical research in these areas and strategies to cope with symptoms such as a tight chest or runny nose. The publication will be called The Big Tissue and will be available from the hospital in September."

Entries from pupils included:

"Have you seen the scaffolding up at the cathedral? Shall I tell you why it's there? Because the whole cathedral would fall down without it. Over the years it has suffered structural damage and now needs extra support." - Rosie Legg

"The National Savings building is apparently closing down to become a chocolate factory. There will be more than 3,000 people working in the chocolate factory." - Stephanie Mortimer

"I saw a funny shape coming out of the river a few weeks ago. Is it the Lambton Worm or the Loch Ness Monster that has travelled down from Scotland to Durham? Maybe the Lambton Worm didn't like the pollution." - Louise Wood

"The Queen Mother is going to move into her new palace. It is Durham Castle - she will cut a gold ribbon with a pair of gardening shears." - Michael Corrigan.