AN EIGHT-year-old St Martins girl has won a prize in a children’s story writing competition open to children across the West Midlands.

Ariana Rowley, a pupil of Gobowen Primary School, was first in the under-nine category and won a £50 voucher for books and also £75 worth of books for her school.

Organised by the Institute of Name Studies at the University of Nottingham, the competition had around 100 entries.

Ariana wrote “The Legend of Fey and Earl” about two dragons and how Pontesford and Earls Hill got their names.

A keen footballer who plays football with Oswestry Boys and Girls Football Club and likes horse riding, Ariana found the task very fun and was happy to be presented with a prize.

She said: “It’s amazing. I’m very excited.”

Her parents, Ben and Natalie, said: “We are incredibly proud of Ariana. She spent a lot of time writing the story and she’s so thrilled her effort has been recognised.”

Dr Susan Kilby of Nottingham University said: “We received almost 100 entries and so Ariana should be very proud of herself indeed for such wonderful achievement.”