An annual children's competition staged by the Airedale Writers' Circle is proving as popular as ever.

The committee judged 401 manuscripts, from schools and individuals, in this year's contest.

Judges commend all the entries -- 176 poems and 225 stories -- submitted by children from Keighley, Bingley, Skipton, Ilkley and Bradford.

Twenty-six prizes and certificates have been awarded, and they will be presented -- by author Julia Clarke -- at a ceremony on May 12.

A spokesman said: "It was good to have so many scripts from children who wanted to enter as individuals and from schools that had not entered before.

"As always, the standard was high and the themes diverse."

Winner of the poetry section (up to eight years) was Gabrielle Selman, seven, from All Saints Primary School, Ilkley, with "The Mouse in the Wainscote", a poem describing a mouse waking up.

Runner-up was Lydia Mackenzie, eight, from East Morton Primary School, with her poem "Stars", describing the universe beyond the stars.

Highly commended certificates were awarded to Gabrielle Selman for "Samantha Spy" and Maria Smith, eight, from Christ Church Primary School, Skipton, for "Illusion".

Commended certificates were awarded to independent entry Morgan MacCabe, eight, from St Stephen's School, Skipton, for "Clowns", and Cameron Latter, seven, from Hothfield School, Silsden, for "The Worst Day at School".

Alex Binns, eight, from Oxenhope Primary School, won the story section in the up-to-eight age group with "The World of Chocolates and Sweets" -- the story of a boy who falls down a gap in a flagstone and lands in a land of chocolate and sweets where everything is melting.

Runner-up was "The Overthrow of Kazan", by Charles Allatson, seven, from Christ Church School, Skipton.

Highly commended certificates went to Emma Cooke, seven, from East Morton Primary School, with "The Dragon and the Treasure Hunt", and Laura Brockbank -- also seven -- from Christ Church with "A Spell and a New World".

Commended certificates were awarded to Eve O'Grady, six, from East Morton, for "The Haunting", and Hayley Currie, seven, from Hothfield School, for "The Horse Chestnut Tree".

Top spot in the poetry section (9-13 age group) was taken this year by an independent entry -- Sophie Cartwright, nine, with "At Dawn's Light", a description of dawn breaking.

Another independent entry -- Grace O'Keeffe, 12, from Holy Family School, Keighley, -- was the runner-up with "He", which described a visit from Santa Claus.

Highly commended certificates were awarded to Heather Cooper, 11, from Crossflatts Primary School, with "The Dog with No Name", and Sophie Cartwright with "Staying Inside".

Commended were independent entry Isabelle Robinson, nine, from East Morton Primary School, with "Once Upon a Time"; Jonathan Beaumont, 10, from Eldwick Primary School, with "The River", and Josie Miller, 10, from Harden Primary School, with "Killer Whale".

Isabelle Robinson was first in the story section (9-13) with "Deja Vue", about a young girl starring in a film.

Grace O'Keeffe was runner-up with "I Won't Cry", about a girl being bullied.

Highly commended were Ellie Fulford, 11, from East Morton Primary School, with "Kidnap!", and Lucy Mertekis, 10, from Eldwick Primary School, with "Chestnut".

Commended certificates were awarded to Naomi Pratt, 10, with "The Beautiful Sister", and Eleanor Davies-Lawley, 11, with "The Golden Locket" -- both pupils at Burley and Woodhead Primary School -- and Rebecca Sheldon, nine, from All Saints Primary School, Ilkley, for "The Old Barn".

Airedale Writers' Circle thanks the Community Chest for a donation to help fund the free-to-enter competition.