CHILDREN in Huddersfield have just over a week left to put pen to paper and enter a national writing competition.

Entries for the Write Here, Write Now 2005 contest must be in by Thursday, July 14.

The competition, run by the Department for Education and Skills, is open to children aged eight to 10.

They must enter through their school and can choose from four categories.

They can either complete a poem started by Brian Patten, a story begun by Gillian Cross, a piece of persuasive writing started by Geraldine McCaughrean or a journalistic report with advice from BBC Newsround presenter Lizo Mzimba.

Recently-appointed Children's Laureate Jacqueline Wilson is supporting the awards.

She said: "Write Here, Write Now is a brilliant opportunity for children to be as inventive and imaginative as they like.

"I would love to see as many schools as possible take part and I am really looking forward to reading the results."

Winners will have their work published in a special book by Oxford University Press. Some of the proceeds from sales of the book will go to the Save The Children charity.

Winners will also receive prizes for themselves and their schools, including computer equipment, pens, a trip to the set of Grange Hill in Liver- pool and a tour of The Independent newspaper.

For details on how to enter Write Here, Write Now visit www.writehere.org.uk or call 0870 609 1948.