CREATIVE Teesdale youngsters who impressed judges in a writing competition were presented with prizes at Barnard Castle Library.
Youngsters from schools across Teesdale were invited to enter the children’s writing competition, organised by the trustees of the Friends of Barnard Castle Library, by submitting stories of 500 words or less about friendship.
The competition was judged by Kim Harding, who is retiring as a trustee after 13 years in the role, and Celia Chapple.
Mrs Harding said: “The theme of the competition was friendship and we asked them to pick a book character they would like to be friends with.
“We promoted the competition through the schools in the dale and they really took up the challenge.
“Key stage one children were asked to draw a picture while key stage two children were asked to do a story and some of them were very creative.”
Five-year-old Alma Bainbridge, from Staindrop, won the key stage one category with a picture of herself and Daisy, while Jessica Hall, from Cockfield, 6, was runner up with her picture of Stitch from Lilo and Stitch.
Jennifer Watters’ engaging story, The Peanut Butter Raid, about a friendly bear who wants some peanut butter earned her the top prize in the key stage one category.
George Bainbridge and Lilly Alden were both named as runners-up for their stories about a day with Harry Potter at Hogwarts and a story of a mysterious girl who emerges from a tree and makes a new friend.
Alice Heddle, from Cockfield Primary, was also highly commended for her story, Crime at Nine.
The successful children were presented with book tokens during the short awards ceremony at Barnard Castle Library.
