Fears that the schools shake-up might hit a children's writing competition were unfounded.

Delighted members of the Airedale Writers' Circle revealed this week that 495 young people aged from 5-13 had entered this years' challenge.

Said chairman Lesley Horton at this week's prize giving at Keighley Library: "We are delighted at the entry figure, which is less than 100 down on last years' record entry.

"We were worried that with all the changes and movements of teachers due to schools reorganisation entries this year would have fallen to a much lower level.

"The greatest news is that we have had entries from children as young as five."

The children had a triple treat. Children's author Alan Brown, who presented the prizes, was joined by Berlie Doherty and Bob Swindells.

Alan told the children: "The standards of writing are very high. Some of you are already masters of aspects of the craft.

"If some of the winners keep up these standards they could well be professional writers. Well done to all."

Winners were:

Poems up to 8 yrs: Winner Jack Humphrey, Lady Lane School (Feet); runner-up Frederick Pearson, Lady Lane School (A Disappearing Witch); highly commended Katie Fitzpatrick, Lady Lane School (Penguin), Harmonie Douglas, Addingham Primary (Summer), Jonathan Newhouse, Water Street School (I Would Be...); commended Jamie Brown, Lady Lane School (Golden Eagle), Stuart Slingsby, Lady Lane School (Owl), Daniel Taylor, Lady Lane School (Dad), Jack Humphrey, Lady Lane School (The Sea Serpent).

Stories up to 8 yrs: Winner Eleanor Fulford, East Morton Primary (The Spider and the Bear); runner-up Mauricia Chippindale, East Morton Primary (Lucy and the Mice); highly commended Rebecca Lamb, East Morton Primary (Toby the Dog), Benjamin Hardy, East Morton Primary (The Knight and the Dragon); commended Jacky Naylor, East Morton Primary (The Secret of East Morton), Isabelle Robinson, East Morton Primary (Oscar's Leg), Olivia O'Grady, East Morton Primary (The Sea Story).

Poems 9-13yrs: Winner Laura Bancroft, Bingley Grammar School (The Pupil Answers Back); runner-up Hannah Wilson, Skipton Girls' High (A Tale of Sorrow); highly commended Carly Watson, Bradford Grammar (Grey Monday), Hannah Wilson, Skipton Girl's High (Dear God); commended Charlotte Hedar, Lady Lane School (The Wild Wild West), Bethany Rugen, Saltaire Primary (Night), Gary Litvinov, Saltaire Primary (An Alien in my Garden), George Dawson, Malsis (A Crazy Christmas).

Stories 9-13yrs: Winner Gabriella Parker, Skipton Girls' High School (The House Where Nobody Lives); runner-up Charlotte Kellett, Bingley Grammar (The New Girl); highly commended Ruth Waddington, Bingley Grammar (Robin's Nightmare), Richard Simpson, Bingley Grammar (Who Wants to Spend a Million?), Daniel Rawnsley, Bingley Grammar (Evil's Eye); commended Hannah Coates, Water Street School (Being Ben), Archie Reynolds, Malsis (How the Cheetah Became), Jessica Taylor, Eastburn Primary (Fluffy's Wild Day).