TWO schoolgirls won top prizes in a competition to write short poems to mark the 60 years since the end of the Second World War.

Emma Turner, of Outlane, and Katharine Wootton, from Honley, entered the schools-based competition to find the best poetry from youngsters in the Huddersfield area.

Each came first in their age categories. Ten-year-old Emma won the seven to 10 class and 12-year-old Katharine won the 11 to 14 group.

They received framed prints of their poems from Kirklees Mayor Clr Margaret Fearnley, along with book vouchers.

The Huddersfield event featured a parade of veterans from Huddersfield Town Hall to the town centre Parish Church for a commemorative service, where Emma, a pupil at Outlane Junior School, read out her poem.

Her mum, Rachel, said: "Emma read the poem wonderfully. She wrote it in bed one night and it came right from the heart."

Outlane Junior School headteacher Carolyn Littlewood said: "It is wonderful for one of our pupils to receive such an accolade. We are really proud of her."

After the church service there was a parade back to the town hall, where West Yorkshire Police Band and Lindley Junior School Choir performed wartime music.

Katharine, a pupil at Honley High School, read her poem out at the town hall.

Mum Christine said: "She read it very well. I think I was more nervous than she was!"

Dozens of veterans attended the events, which were held between Victory In Europe Day and Victory in Japan Day.