YOUNG writers are being encouraged to enter a national short story competition run by The Northern Echo.

Orange New Voices is backed, as in previous years, by telecommunications company Orange and Darlington Arts Centre.

Formerly called The Short Story Competition, it showcases new writers of all ages and one of the categories is for authors aged 11 to 16.

Stories in the junior category must be no more than 2,000 words and the winner will receive £300, with £150 and £100 for second and third place respectively, as well as book tokens from Darlington bookstore Ottakar's.

The inaugural category was won last year by Amy Hornsby, who is now 17 and a pupil at Egglescliffe School, near Stockton.

Amy has continued writing, including developing horror material, and has been collaborating with fellow pupil Anna Watkin on a fantasy story. She said: "Winning last year gave me confidence."

Second place Jane Williamson, of Darlington, has also kept writing, including short stories and a comic-fantasy novel being considered by several publishers.

The 16-year-old said: "Being shortlisted last year gave me a real boost."

The free competition has two other categories. The maximum length of stories for the adult category is 3,000 words. First prize is £600.

The new category is for writers aged 16 or over who are asked to produce a story of no more than 2,000 words for children aged eight and under. First prize is £600.

Orange New Voices is open to anyone. The closing date is May 31. Full details are available on The Northern Echo website at www. theshortstory.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.