A STUDLEY schoolgirl has been named a regional winner in a national writing competition.

Kimi Sweet, aged 10, from St Mary's CE Academy, won with her story based on this year’s theme The Future.

The competition, part of the National Young Writers’ Award, was organised by tuition provider Explore Learning, which has a centre on Alvechurch Highway.

Children were tasked with writing a 500-word story set in 3017.

Judged by BAFTA-winning English naturalist, writer and television presenter Steve Backshall, more than 10,000 children from all over the UK put pen to paper in a bid to be crowned the nation's best young author, win a trip to Disneyland Paris and £500 worth of books for their school.

The winner will be surprised in a school assembly by Steve who will announce the National Young Writer of the Year. Every child that entered will receive a certificate to celebrate their story, along with personalised feedback from Explore Learning.

All regional winners will receive prize bundle.

Carey Ann Dodah, head of curriculum development at Explore Learning, said: "This year’s National Young Writers’ Awards attracted so many entries so Kimi should be very proud."

Mr Backshall added: "The quality of the stories was beyond belief. If I didn’t know this was a competition for young writers, I’d believe I was reading the scribblings of Isaac Asimov or Philip K Dick, and while there were elements from the great works of science fiction, every story was original, and had its own sense of individuality."

The national winner will be announced on Monday, June 19.

Explore Learning provides English and maths tuition to children aged four to 14.