This year we are supporting the BBC’s writing competition.

Six years ago, Chris Evans, Radio 2 and television presenter, wanted to get children excited about reading and writing. 500 Words is now one of the most successful story-writing competitions for kids in the world. Nearly half a million pupils have written a story for us; that’s over 215 MILLION words!

It’s very simple. We want our children to write an original story on any subject or theme in 500 Words or fewer and hand in back into school. If they win, their story will be read live on the radio by a superstar celebrity…like Sir Kenneth Branagh, Jeremy Irons, Hugh Bonneville or Sherlock himself – Benedict Cumberbatch. Each year, 10 million Radio 2 listeners hear, read and love these stories.

Winners of the competition will rub shoulders with the world’s biggest celebrities and massive pop-stars performing at the Final. Plus in 2016, 500 Words is delighted to welcome back real-life royalty to the competition: Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall, is an Honorary Judge! She'll be reading and debating the top 50 stories of the competition with other amazing panellists: Malorie Blackman, Charlie Higson, Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Francesca Simon.

We look forward to reading your stories.

Rules

Children must write a fictional short story (no more than 500 words in length). Please make sure that you provide your name, gender, region and age. Only stories with 500 words or under will be read and entered.

On the BBC Radio 2 website there are many more details and ideas that will help your children get going - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00rfvk1 .There are also some good examples of previous stories that will inspire you.

Please return all entries to school before Friday 19^th February.

Thank you and Good Luck!