HAVE you got what it takes to write captivating children’s stories?

The High Sheriff of Cheshire’s Prize for Literature is looking for entries from the next JK Rowling or David Walliams.

This year the competition has teamed up with the University of Chester’s faculty of education and children’s services to look for outstanding writing for youngsters.

Entries can be prose of up to 1,500 words or verse of a maximum of 100 lines and the works should be aimed at readers between the age of seven and 14.

The author and illustrator of the popular Biff, Chip and Kipper books, Roderick Hunt and Alex Brychta , will be guest speakers at the awards evening when winners are announced on November 22

The pair also created The Magic Tree books, which were first written as part of the Oxford Reading Tree.

Roderick is a former student of Chester College and also has an honourary degree from the university.

Competition judge Simon Poole, from the faculty of education, said: “What a wonderful opportunity for writers who have a connection with Cheshire.

“The judging panel is looking for innovative and engaging writing.

“We, as a university, are also pleased that our guest speaker this year will be Dr Hunt, whose own outstanding contribution to the development of literacy in children is an inspiration.

“As one of our own, we are extremely proud of his work and his constant and loyal support for the university.”

The contest is open to anyone aged 18 or over who was born, has lived, studied or worked in Cheshire and first prize is £2,000.

Additional prizes of £750 will go to the best entries to be published in an anthology and the closing date is September 1.

The prize was first set up in 2003 by the then high sheriff, John Richards.

Entries must be previously unpublished and for more information visit chester.ac.uk/literatureprize.