Budding young writers could win a trip to Disneyland Paris if their words impress a top author.

Best-selling author Cressida Cowell will judge the competition, which is open to children aged five to 14 who must pen a 500 word story on the theme around the world.

The author, who is the creator of the How To Train Your Dragon series, will present the winner with a family trip to Disneyland Paris and £500 worth of books for their school.

She said: “I’m delighted to be involved in this year’s National Young Writers’ Award. “Writing in itself is quite intimidating so competitions like this give children confidence in themselves.

“It is so important to encourage children to write stories and think creatively – especially when the time for children to write their own stories and explore their creativity in an uninhibited way is being squeezed under the national curriculum.”

Entries to the competition organised by Explore Learning, who has centres in Addiscombe and Purley, should be submitted no later than Monday, June 3.

Entrants can pick up a form from the Addiscome or Purley Explore Learning centres, or enter online via www.explorelearning.co.uk/youngwriters.