NINE young writers from Arthur Bugler Primary School in Stanford-le-Hope have been shortlisted in the national BBC 500 Words Competition.

The competition invites young authors to explore their imagination, showcase their storytelling skills, and express their unique voices through their writing.

This year, the nine short-listed students from Arthur Bugler demonstrated exceptional creativity, dedication, and skill in their entries, earning them a place in the next round of the competition.

Their stories were selected from thousands of submissions, and being shortlisted is a testament to their hard work and passion for writing.

Lucy Cordell, a teacher at Arthur Bugler Primary who has championed the BBC 500 Words said: "The children should be so incredibly proud of themselves for reaching the next stage in the national competition – we all certainly are! This achievement is a reflection of their creativity, hard work and enthusiasm for writing epic stories! We wish every single one of our talented writers the best of luck in the next round!"

The shortlisted children will now move forward in the competition, with the potential to win exciting prizes, including the chance to see their story brought to life by celebrity readers. The final winners will be announced in the coming months.