THE launch of the OxTales writing competition last week gave pupils aged between 11 and 14 the chance to get their creative juices flowing and see their stories about Oxfordshire published.

Since then, schools taking part in the Oxfordshire Gaining Momentum programme, who are eligible to take part in the competition, have been preparing their entries and the contest has gained the support of a local author.

The competition, which challenges young writers to create a story about a place in Oxfordshire that inspires them, has been backed by Oxford author Frances Hardinge, who wrote Fly By Night and Verdigris Deep.

She said: “I fell in love with the crazed grace of Oxford at first sight. My first thought was, I have to live here, I can think better here.

“It was only once I was living in Oxford that I started venturing out to discover the wonders and beauties of Oxfordshire as a whole.

“I’m looking forward to reading the competition entries and discovering more of the county’s hidden gems, through the eyes of talented local pupils.”

The competition is being run in conjunction with the National Literacy Trust (NLT), which also runs Oxfordshire Gaining Momentum. It is delighted with the reaction to the competition being launched. Susan Aykin, who runs Oxfordshire Gaining Momentum at the NLT, said: “We are delighted with the enthusiastic response to the OxTales competition since it launched last week.

“Pupils at participating schools have been inspired by the local theme and we are looking forward to reading their entries.

“This new, exciting way to encourage creative writing fits in well with the innovative work schools are already doing to improve pupils’ literacy as part of the Oxfordshire Gaining Momentum programme.”

The winner of the competition will have their work published in the Oxford Mail and will be awarded book vouchers worth £50 as well as £250 worth of books for their school library.

They will also be invited to visit the newspaper’s offices in Osney Mead for a tour.