ENTRIES are rolling in for the Examiner's Pen Idol contest.

But there's still time for young, would-be star scribes to get scribbling!

We're looking for new talent - under 30s who lead hectic lives and want to write about themselves and their adventures.

This is your big chance to break into journalism - or just develop a hobby that brings in extra beer money.

The contest is open to anyone - students, workers, jobseekers - from any ethnic background.

The only rule is that you must be aged 18 to 30.

We might pick out one new columnist to write once a week, or we could choose as many as four, who would contribute about once a month.

It all depends on who writes in and what they say.

To enter, we need you to write a "dummy" column, a mock-up to give us an idea of what the real thing would read like.

A typical column might include a main piece that's about 400 words long, plus two or three secondary pieces of 100 to 250 words each.

Make sure it's properly finished-off, though, because we might like to print it - even if you don't win.

The closing date is Tuesday, October 19.

Send your entry, together with a few introductory words about yourself - age, address, job, hobbies, that kind of thing - to Jenny Parkin, Examiner, PO Box A26, Queen Street South, Huddersfield, HD1 2TD. Or you can email Jenny Parkin at jenny.parkin@examiner.co.uk.

If you want to ask any questions, or would like any general guidance, email Jenny or call her on 01484 437769.