Entries are pouring in for a new writing competition organised by the Chippenham Arts Festival but organisers are keen to receive more from older teenagers and adults, who are currently under represented in the competition.

The Write! competition is looking for budding poets and writers who would like a chance to see their work in print.

Write! is a contest for adults and children and winners will be published in an anthology.

The competition is the brainchild of writing enthusiast Gill Minter, an arts festival committee member, who wanted to give local people the chance to show off their talent.

The competition is looking for unpublished poems and short stories.

Poems, up to 28 lines long, can use the title The River, or the writer's own choice. Stories can be written for the title The White Horse, or again, the writer's own choice.

The maximum number of words for stories is 1,200 for adults, 400 for under-11s and 800 for 11 to 18-year-olds.

Shortlisted entries will be read at a presentation evening at the Cause in Chippenham on Tuesday, November 16, when certificates and prizes will be awarded.

Children's classes have been set up for under-11's, 11 to 14 years, and 15 to 18 years.

The closing date is September 10 so there is still plenty of time for entrants to get pen to paper.

Entry is free for children and £1 for adults per item of work. Entries should be sent to: Write! Co-ordinator, 6, Monkton House, Monkton Park, Chippenham SN15 3TE.