BUDDING authors from Bridgwater are being urged to get into top gear for a new national writing competition launched by coach company National Express.

Children's author Huw Powell has been chosen by the coach firm to spearhead the campaign, which encourages students to pen their own short stories to be in within a chance of scooping some top prizes.

The competition, called Express Yourself, is open to anyone aged between seven and 16, and they must write a short story of no more than 1,000 words on the theme of happy travelling.

Winning stories will then be published in an online story book called "VUER", which will be on offer to passengers as they travel the length and breadth of the country.

Each winner will also get a £50 cheque as prize money.

Huw, who is well known for his ‘Spacejackers’ book series, will be judging entries from the South West and he said: “This competition is all about journeys and travelling as the people reading it are going to be coach passengers, but the journey you write about can be fictional or real.”

“I’d love every child in Bridgwater to have a go, it doesn’t matter if you think you’re not a writer, everyone has a story. Writing is one of the best ways of expressing your ideas, unlocking your creative side, and this is a great opportunity to share it."

Launching on services in the South West, VUER is the UK’s first coach ‘infotainment’ - news and entertainment system – a complimentary service offering films, TV and magazines entirely free of charge.

The app, which allows customers to enjoy hours of free entertainment – as well as news, weather and journey updates and plus free WiFi - on their own devices from the comfort of their seat, affords the ideal platform to enable kids to get creative and have their stories seen by millions.

Tom Stables, National Express UK coach managing director, said: “Every year we take millions of people on a journey, now to celebrate VUER, we are turning the tables are asking youngsters in Bridgwater to take us on a journey.

'"Express Yourself’ is a really unique opportunity for budding young authors to get their literary careers in top gear and we’re looking for really inspiring stories to delight our customers. We can’t wait to start receiving the entries.”

For more information or to submit an entry, email david.wrottesley@nationalexpress.com, or post stories to The Story Team, National Express House, Mill Lane Birmingham B5 6DD.

The deadline is December 31.