A massive 144 entries have been received in the fourth Airedale Writers' Circle children's competition. The committee - which is now reading each entry ahead of the April 11 final judging date - is delighted.

President Lesley Horton says: "There is no doubt that there are some talented young people in the district and we hope they and others will continue to put pen to paper or fingers to word processor. Our thanks go to the libraries and information centre which handed out entry forms, but particularly to Wired (the Keighley News' schools/youth page) which gave the competition so much publicity. Without its help we would not be as busy as we are enjoying reading the entries."

Winners will be notified after April 11, and the results will be published in the Keighley News. Prizes and certificates will be presented by children's author Berlie Doherty at a ceremony on May 12.

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