AN array of North-East writers will judge the national story competition run by The Northern Echo.

Orange New Voices, which showcases new writers, is backed by telecommunications company Orange and Darlington Arts Centre.

Entries for the adult category will be judged by Fiona Cooper and Fiona Evans, and Stan Dean, the retired County Durham librarian. The first prize is £600.

Darlington bookstore Ottakar's is backing the junior category for writers aged 11 to 16.

The winner will receive £300 and entries will be judged by Fiona Ritchie-Walker and John Dean.

The new category this year 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.

The first prize is £600 and the category will be judged by writers Ellen Phethean and Kim Tserkezie, who is well known for her role as Penny Pocket in the children's TV show Balamory.

The closing date is May 31. Full details of the rules and conditions 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.

Leaflets will also be available at selected arts venues across the region. Updates will be published in The Northern Echo and on its website.