AROUND 350 children entered Blackburn Child Care Society's annual short story competition.

The winners were presented with their trophies and cash prizes at a presentation evening at the society's head office in Whalley Road, Wilpshire.

Prize winners for the age group 10-13 were: 1st Francesco Leoni (St Augustine's RC High School), 2nd Katie Regan (St Bede's RC High School), 3rd Joshua Layfield (Our Lady and St John RC High School). Runners-up: Adam Hurley (Witon Park High School), Emily Jameson, (St Mary's RC School).

Awards for the age group 13-16 went to: Joint lst Rebecca Finch (St Bede's RC High School) and Safeera Laher (Our Lady and St John RC High School), 2nd Simon Wilkinson (Our Lady and St John RC High School). Runners-up: Charlotte Unsworth (St Bede's RC High School), Alice Houghton (Ribblesdale Technology College High School).

The judges were Shirley Bristow, former English and careers teacher at St Mary's College, Blackburn, and Jonathan Harding, bookshop owner, of Clitheroe.

Prizes were presented by Alan Simpson, deputy editor of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, and Chris Rider, of Radio Lancashire.