WRITERS of all ages are being given the chance to learn the art of short story writing.

Darlington Arts Centre, in Vane Terrace, is to stage two free workshops for authors as part of its support for Orange New Voices, the national short story competition run through The Northern Echo.

On the morning of Saturday, April 22, writer John Dean will hold a two-hour workshop for young writers aged 11 to 16.

On the same day, between 2pm and 4pm, he will run a workshop for adult writers.

For more information and to book tickets, telephone the box office on (01325) 486555.

Orange New Voices, for which the main sponsor is telecommunications company Orange, has three categories.

First prize in the adult category is £600, with second and third prizes of £250 and £150 respectively.

Stories in the junior category must be no more than 2,000 words. The winner will receive £300, with prizes of £150 and £100 for second and third place respectively, as well as book tokens from Darlington bookstore Ottakar's. Entrants must be aged between 11 and 16.

A new category has been introduced, which challenges writers aged 16 or over to produce a story of no more than 2,000 words for children aged eight and under. First prize is £600, with second and third prizes of £250 and £150.

The closing date is May 31. Full details of rules and conditions are available on The Northern Echo website at www.theshortstory.co.uk or by sending a stamped, addressed envelope to John Dean, care of Newsdesk, The Northern Echo, PO Box 14, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 1NF.