WRITERS who dream of having their work published or even made into a film can make their bid for the big time by entering a national competition based in the North-East.

A Novel Approach 2003 is open to anyone over 14 and winning entries will be read by a leading publisher and agent.

Successful North-East author Jonathon Tulloch won the first contest, organised by Wear Valley Writers, from Bishop Auckland, County Durham. His winning short story Season Ticket was made into the hit film Purely Belter.

A Novel Approach was set up in memory of Tom Wetherill, a founder member of Wear Valley Writers. Its patrons are David Almond, Pat Barker and Anne Fine.

Judges this year are: Wendy Robertson, best-selling novelist, writer-in-residence and author of Honesty's Daughter; Elizabeth Gill, author of The Homecoming; and The Northern Echo columnist Sharon Griffiths.

Entrants should submit a 500 word synopsis of a novel and a 1,000 word extract from the text. The closing date is September 1.

For details contact Gillian Wales, Centre Manager, Town Hall, Market Place, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 7NP, or telephone (01388) 602610.