A STAR pupil’s story writing won a regional competition.

Chimwemwe Ngoma, nine, of Highfield Junior School, Bromley, has scribbled her way through to the national final of the Write Here, Write Now 2003 Writing Awards for Schools.

The Department for Education and Skills’ Writing Awards aim to raise standards for primary school pupils.

Competition categories are story, poem, persuasive writing and journalism.

Highfield Junior School entered 24 stories this year. Last year they won the national award for journalism and two years ago they won factual story.

Headteacher Peter Jones, who takes classes for English, said: “It is excellent news. It’s now three years on the trot we’ve won.

“I am delighted for her. She is a lovely girl who works hard and is always smiling and laughing.

“When she found out she had won she gave her friends who had also entered a big hug.” Schools Minister Stephen Twigg said: “Congratulations to all of the regional winners. Write Here, Write Now is designed to support the excellent work teachers are doing and is a great example of how much fun children can have with writing.” National winners will be announced on November 27 at an awards ceremony in London.

Read the entries on the awards website at www.writehere.org.uk