Children and young people are being invited to enter a new creative writing competition.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary and the University of East Anglia (UEA) have launched the competition for children aged between six and 18.

The two organisations are teaming up again after last year’s Black Beauty-inspired competition, in celebration of the partnership’s publication of a special fundraising edition of the book, was such a success.

This time, youngsters are being challenged to write a story or poem about an animal (real or mythical) that has an extraordinary ability, for a chance to win some fantastic prizes.

Children and young people invited to enter creative writing competition Children and young people invited to enter creative writing competition (Image: Submitted)

The closing date is Monday, January 6, 2025, and winners will be placed first to third in two age-range categories.

Charlotte McMorran-Stock, education and youth publications officer at Redwings, said: “This competition is once again inspired by Anna Sewell’s beloved book Black Beauty, as well as the amazing selection of children’s books being revived by Professor Thomas Ruys Smith and Dr Hilary Emmett, from the UEA, as part of the UEA Publishing Project. 

“The story of Black Beauty is told through the eyes of a horse, named Beauty, and that got us thinking, what if other animals could talk?

"What if they didn’t talk but had another extraordinary ability?

"What adventures might they have?

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“One hundred and sixty children and young people entered last year’s competition and there were some extraordinarily moving and heartbreaking pieces of writing.

"We hope this brief will inspire more young writers to delve deep into their imaginations.”

Prizes include book bundles, a Le Mieux horse toy, and a selection of Redwings goodies including a sponsorship of Adoption Star Maya, a stunning black Friesian horse and the charity’s very own Beauty-lookalike.

To enter, the typed-up entry should be emailed to stories@redwings.co.uk, including the author’s name, age, and contact information for their parent or guardian.