Bradford youngsters are being invited to research a war hero who participated in the Great War of 1914-18 in a national competition.

To commemorate the centenary of the 1914 Christmas Truce, when German and British soldiers put down their guns for a game of football, The Seven Stories National Centre for Children’s Books is inviting children to find out about a soldier involved in the Great War. “We are hoping that children will delve into their school history or find out about a family member, or the family member of a friend,” says competition organiser Hannah Lambert.

Children are asked to create a short profile of their war hero in 500 words and share their story of how that person was associated with the First World War. Two winners will have the opportunity to dedicate the new book The Christmas Truce to their hero. The deadline for entries is May 16 and the winner will be announced on May 23. E-mail entries to Hannah.lambert@sevenstories.org.uk