A SOUTH West children’s author is calling on budding young authors in Okehampton to get their literary careers in top gear and ‘Express’ themselves in an all-new national writing competition.

Writer Huw Powell has been chosen by National Express to launch its ‘Express Yourself’ short story competition. Huw is joining the coach operator in a call for children aged 7-16 to get creative and submit short stories inspired by the theme of ‘happy travelling’.

Youngsters are invited to let their creative juices run riot and submit original travel tales. Inspiration can come from anywhere – be it their own real-life experiences or something from the depths of their imaginations. 

Winning stories will then be published in an online storybook for passengers to enjoy as they travel - they will have a chance to be read by the millions of people who travel with National Express every year. Each winner will also get a £50 cheque as prize money.

Huw, who is well known for his ‘Spacejackers’ book series, will be judging entries from the South West. He encourages local children to get involved saying: ‘This competition is all about journeys and travelling as the people reading it are going to be coach passengers, but the journey you write about can be fictional or real.

‘I’d love every child in Okehampton to have a go, it doesn’t matter if you think you’re not a writer, everyone has a story. Writing is one of the best ways of expressing your ideas, unlocking your creative side, and this is a great opportunity to share it. Good luck!’

Entrants should write a story of up to but no more than 1000 words, and they have until December 31 to submit it to [email protected] Alternatively, children can post stories to The Story Team, National Express House, Mill Lane Birmingham B5 6DD.