THE Young Writers of the Year Competition, run by Malvern Writers Circle, once again attracted a strong crop of entries.

The competition, which is held every year, is intended to encourage young prose writers and poets.

The budding writers are invited to submit entries in two categories - short stories and poetry - and two age groups - 13-15 and 16-19.

The judges were Graham Gardner, the award-winning author of Inventing Elliott, and Julie Boden, poet-in-residence at Birmingham's Symphony Hall.

Linda Blackett of the Writers Circle said: "The standard of entries was very high, as is the case every year, encompassing a wide variety of styles. They were most impressive."

The prize winners and highly-commended entrants will now be invited to an awards ceremony on Friday, May 6, at St Edmund's Hall, Malvern College, where they will be given their awards. The ultimate winner of the competition will also be announced at the event.

Judge Graham Gardner will open the proceedings with an address, followed by the presentation of prizes, readings and then the announcement of the cup winners.

Prose, 13-15.

First: The Room, Rhiannon Edmonds, the Chase; second: Spirit of the Place, Geogiana Kwok, Malvern St James; commended: The Bite, Charlotte Davey, Malvern St James; He Who Seeks Shall Be Given, Hannah Willis, Malvern St James; On the Beach Alone, Josie Hobbs, Malvern St James; Bruegel’s 'The Harvester', Jonathan Killam, Malvern College.

Prose, 16-19.

First: I’ll tell you what it’s like to have cancer, Rosie Kilburn, Ledbury; second: The Lookalike, Philippe Defferrard, Malvern College; commended: Father, Fleur and Eleanor, Hannah Lillis, the Chase; Shadow of Summer, Summer of Silence, Chen Tsui, Malvern St James; The Bubble, Tara Margulies, Malvern College; Full Fathom Five, Liam Charlton, Malvern College.

Poetry, 13-15.

First: Mrs Ramsay, Tally De Villiers Kuun, Malvern St James; second: The Sorrow Storm, Anna Llewellyn, Malvern College; commended: The Gods of the Sea, Joshua Penrice, Malvern College.

Poetry, 16-19.

First: On Sherkin, Erin Cunningham, the Chase; second: Like an Obsession, Jacqueline Cairns, Hanley Castle; commended: The Copse Hold, Harry Evans, Hanley Castle; The Old Tree, Molly Swallow, Dyson Perrins; La Mort. Silviana Ciureailcus, Malvern College.