FOUR talented young East Lothian writers have tasted success.

The Young Writers of the Year competition, which is promoted by Tyne and Esk Writers, covers both East Lothian and Midlothian.

More than 600 people entered with a variety of poems and stories.

Brenda Thomson, Tyne and Esk Writers convenor, told the Courier: “The quality of the prose and poetry and the readings which the winners gave at the awards ceremony were excellent.” The overall primary school winner was Cera Gemmell, from North Berwick’s Law Primary School, with ‘Breezy Sunset’; and in the secondary sector it was Marianna Dore, from Penicuik High School, with ‘Enslaved.’ Other winners from East Lothian were Katherine Leckie, also from North Berwick’s Law Primary School, in the primary school prose section with ‘The Flower of Life’.

In the secondary schools’ section, the poetry winner was Heather Cameron, from Dunbar Grammar School, with ‘At the Waterhole’, while North Berwick High School pupil Esme Callander won the secondary school prose section with ‘Will That Be Right’.

The main judge was creative writing fellow Tom Murray, himself a successful playwright and author.

He said: “The range, depth and quality of expression of stories and poems impressed me greatly.

“Whether a story about the slave trade or a poem about a sunset, the young writers brought their imaginative life in front of your mind’s eye.

“It wasn’t an easy choice choosing the winners and the standard of the shortlist was high.” Tyne and Esk Writers is supported by the library services of East Lothian and Midlothian and they played a key part in running the competition.