SENIOR pupils at South Craven School are again taking part in a competition to identify and reward some of the UK's best young writers.

The pupils from years 11 to 13 are participating in the Orwell Youth Prize again.

A South Craven spokesman explained: "At the first of two workshops, nineteen students worked on how to create voice in their writing through drama activities and writing challenges.

"The workshop was led by delivery director of the Orwell Youth Prize, Mick Callanan.

"Our pupils also gained valuable insight into careers in writing from prize-winning author, and 'friend of South Craven', Delia Jarrett-Macauley.

"In March, they will develop their focus on this year's theme, which is 'Identity', before submitting drafts to the prize committee."

The competition aims to inspire and support the next generation of politically engaged young writers.

Explaining this year's Identity theme, a spokesman for the Orwell Youth Prize said: "In the past year, the debate about the UK’s membership of the European Union has made many people think deeply about issues of ‘identity’ in modern Britain.

"For some, identity is about place – a particular town, England, Britain, Europe or the World.

"For others, the EU referendum has stirred feelings about their identity as a young person."