A mix of dragons, castles, beaches and roundabouts enthralled the judges of a creative writing competition when they met to decide the winners.

More than 200 children and young people entered the Write on Norfolk competition, which was run by the EDP and Norfolk County Council, with Jarrold.

The scheme, which ran over the long summer holiday, aimed to encourage pupils to exercise their imaginations, and keep up their writing skills, over the school break.

Entrants were asked to write up to 500 words, with some reference to Norfolk.

Nigel Pickover, editor-in-chief of the EDP, and one of the judges, said: 'From stories of dragons and mermaids, to excellent poems and intriguing diary entries, we enjoyed a feast of writing, and send our thanks and best wishes to all the entrants.'

The winners of the three age categories will be announced at a ceremony at the Forum in Norwich on September 28.

Alison Thomas, deputy leader of Norfolk County Council, said: 'For me, some of the imagination was extraordinary. I think their use of language was really quite proficient.'

Caroline Jarrold said: 'I thought it was interesting how they used a mixture of styles. We got diary entries, and several poems.

'I found the entries in the five to seven year old category was particularly engaging. There was a freshness about them.'

The entries also won praise from Wendy Thomson, Norfolk County Council's managing director, who said: 'The plots were well developed; they held suspense. I have been a university professor, and I thought there was a really high standard of prose.

'I think they picked up the essence of Norfolk.'

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