BUDDING writers in Worcestershire are being encouraged to grab their pens and tell their own story.

Worcestershire County Council is encouraging residents who have taken advantage of one its many adult education courses on offer to get writing to tell some of their stories for a special competition.

The contest runs alongside the BBC's national 'My Story' competition.

People wishing to enter must have attended, or be attending a Worcestershire County Council Adult Education course between Monday, September 7, and Wednesday December 16.

Only those who have entered a story into the BBC's national 'My Story' competition can enter the county council competition, and only one entry per person, with the story being that which was submitted to the BBC's competition.

Stories need to be between 300 and 1,500 words long.

Winners will be notified in spring 2010 and those successful will have their stories displayed in libraries across the county and recorded as podcasts to be displayed on the authority's website.

For more information on rules and how to enter visit worcestershire.gov.uk/libraries