Winner’s cool tale will fly off shelves

In total, 330 entries from people aged seven to 16 were received in the News Shopper-sponsored competition.

Young writers were given the chance to create a tale around The Glades' penguin which will be appearing in the animated Glades grotto at Christmas.

Read the winning story -

The overall winner was nine-year-old Alexander Moore, known as Alex, a pupil at Highfield Infant School, Shortlands.

His mother Amanda, of Durham Road, Shortlands, said: "I am so proud. He's always struggled a bit with his literacy.

"We've been helping him a lot and encouraging him."

She said Alex did not want to enter at first as he did not think he was good enough.

The 38-year-old pre-school teacher added: "He's worked so hard over the past few months and it will give him a real boost."

She also paid tribute to Margaret Mercer, who gives Alex extra lessons once a week.

Alex said he was "surprised" by the win. "It took me about three hours to write," he said.

He said he was inspired after a visit to a zoo when he saw the penguins.

He captured the judges' imagination with his tale of Whapper Flapper, a two-year-old penguin who goes on a trip to England after finding a recipe for a flying potion.

The winning entry in the Key Stage 3 category was Natalie Powell-Davies, 12, from Tannsfield Road, Sydenham, a pupil at Sedgehill School, Lewisham.

In the Key Stage 4 section Hannah Bennet, aged 14, of Hambro Avenue, Hayes, and a pupil at Hayes School, scooped the award.

A panel of judges comprising News Shopper Editor Andrew Parkes, children's author Andrew Murray, professional storyteller Susanne Bass, independent judge Sue Webber, The Glades' marketing manager Maria Cooper and illustrator Nicola Slater had the job of choosing the winners.

Alex's winning entry will be published with illustrations by Nicola Slater.

The top 20 entries in each category will have their stories displayed at The Glades during the October half-term holiday.