Write on for an awards night in Walton on Thames

This year's borough literary competition, 'Breaking The Barrier', has been inspired by the Olympic motto, 'Faster, Higher, Stronger' and will culminate in an awards ceremony in Walton on Thames.

The 2011 R C Sherriff Trust and Elmbridge Borough Council Literary Competition was launched earlier this month and is looking for short stories and poems that are inspired by barriers great and small that have been overcome and broken down.

The race for Olympic gold, the stand against oppression and injustice, the first day in a new school, overcoming illness or tragedy, whether on the sports field, the streets of everyday life, within the family or in the classroom, people have refused to let barriers stand in their way.

Entries can be made to the following age categories:

Ages 5-8 Little Rhymes and Stories

Ages 9-13 Poems and Stories

Ages 14-18 Poems and Stories

Ages 19 plus Poems and Stories

The winning and short listed stories and poems will be published online on the R C Sherriff Trust and Elmbridge Borough Council's websites and will be given public readings at the Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre, Walton on Thames, in November during the prize giving evening.

All winners and short-listed writers and their guests, will be invited. A panel of local authors, the Director of the RC Sherriff Trust and the Arts Development Officer at Elmbridge Borough Council will judge the competition entries. The competition winners will also be showcased as part of The Fourth Elmbridge Literary Festival running from November 12 to 19.

The literature competition application forms will be available in all libraries and at the Elmbridge Museum. The closing date for entries is Friday October 21.

Cllr Jan Fuller, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Cultural Services, said: "With such an exciting theme as a source of inspiration, we invite all budding writers across generations to take up the challenge of 'Breaking the Barrier' through their own words and personal experience.

"People who love reading are often tempted to turn to writing in times of great emotion and insight. This year's theme is an ideal channel to put their feelings on paper.

"The Elmbridge Literary Competition continues to attract many talents who share in common their love of writing and the public readings of the winning entries at the Riverhouse Barn are not to be missed."