THE winners of a short story writing competition held in memory of a North-East writer have received their awards.

The Sid Chaplin Short Story competition is hosted yearly by County Durham-based Shildon Town Council to commemorate the writer, who was born in Shildon in 1916.

A total of 77 entries were received from around the region, and as far afield as Glasgow, Bridlington, and Norwich.

A prize-giving ceremony took place at the Civic Hall, in Shildon, to present winners with certificates and an anthology of the winning stories.

Mr Chaplin’s widow, Rene, attended the event, and thanked the council for hosting the competition, which was judged by Margie Stewart-Piercy, regional manager of the North-East’s Museum’s, Libraries, and Archives Council, and Julie Biddlecombe-Brown, from Durham County Council.

"I’m always very glad to come to this special occasion, and I would like to thank the council for carrying on the Sid Chaplin short story competition," said Mrs Chaplin.

"Writing poetry and short stories was his first great love. I am looking forward to reading through this year’s book of entries."

The winners were: Adult section. - 1 Derrick Gilbert; 2 Michael McAdam; 3 Kevin Raw.

Highly commended: Joy Walker; Peter Andrews; Lorna Irvine.

Commended: Joy Swann; Ted McArdle; D Patterson.

Junior section. - 14 to 17-years-old: Ross Lindsay. Ten to 13-years-old: Daniel Fingali-Fenzi. Under tens: Chloe Stephenson.

Special award for writers from Shildon. - Adult section: John Brennan. Junior section: Chloe Stephenson.