WRITERS are responding to the challenge to produce compelling fiction in a national short story competition run by The Northern Echo.

Orange New Voices is backed by telecommunications company Orange and Darlington Arts Centre and showcases new writers of all ages.

So far, there have been more than 100 entries, most in the adult and children's writing categories.

It is hoped that more young writers will enter the junior category, which is for authors aged 11 to 16, and for which stories must be no longer than 2,000 words. The winner will receive £300, with £150 and £100 for second and third place, as well as book tokens from Darlington bookstore Ottakar's.

The maximum length of stories for the adult category is 3,000 words. First prize is £600.

The new category this year is for writers aged 16 or over who are asked to produce a story of no more than 2,000 words for children aged eight and under. First prize is £600.

Orange New Voices is open to all. The closing date is May 31. Full details are available on The Northern Echo website at www.theshort story.co.uk, or by sending a stamped, addressed envelope to John Dean, The Northern Echo Newsdesk, PO Box 14, Darlington, County Durham DL1 1NF.