FOUR talented young writers have been recognised for their efforts in a competition.

A total of 64 scripts were received from three schools for Casterbridge Rotary Club’s local heat of the RIBI Young Writer competition and judge Peter Mann faced a tough task to choose the winners.

The given topic was ‘reflection’ and Sunninghill School emerged triumphant with winners and runners up in both junior and intermediate categories.

Mr Mann, who is the former mayor of Dorchester, said great maturity in writing was shown by all the winners.

A presentation was held at Waterstones in Dorchester and the winners were given certificates, Dictionaries4Life and Waterstones' book tokens and salvers by Mr Mann and Casterbridge Rotary Club president Chris Davies.

Tallulah Taschner, of year six, came first in the junior category, while Esme Savage, of year five, was the runner up.

In the intermediate category Khalid Miah of year seven came first and Jamie Barrington of year eight was the runner-up.

Khalid Miah was also a winner in 2016 so he received an alternative book as a prize.

The scripts by Tallulah and Khalid have been sent to Rotary District 1200 to go forward to the next round of the competition.

Diana Apps, chairman of youth and vocational services at Casterbridge Rotary, said: “Peter was very impressed with the imagination of the writers and their excellent use of vocabulary. In the Junior category, Tallulah Taschner wrote a very imaginative and exciting story about the discovery of an ancient mirror in Langton Herring and in the Intermediate category, Khalid Miah wrote a beautiful and thought-provoking poem reflecting about how he was seen by those around him. At Peter Mann’s request, Khalid read his poem to everyone at the presentation.

“We would like to thank judge, Peter Mann, and Waterstones Bookshop for their continued support for the competition.”