TV presenter and adventurer Steve Backshall has been named judge for the 2017 National Young Writers’ Awards.

The competition is organised by tuition provider, Explore Learning, which has a centre in Farnham, and it has inspired hundreds of thousands of children across the UK to put pen to paper and give writing a try.

This year’s theme is ‘The Future’ and children are invited to write a 500-word story set in 3017, which Steve, author of the best-selling Falcon Chronicles, will judge.

“I can’t wait to read the stories that the children come up with,” he said. “The theme of ‘the future’ gives us so much scope for the weird and wonderful.”

The competition deadline is May 5 and the National Young Writer of the Year winner will receive a trophy, a family trip to Disneyland Paris and £500 worth of books for his or her school. Every entrant will receive a certificate and personalised feedback from Explore Learning.

Entries should be posted top NYWA, Explore Learning, 74 North Street, Guildford, GU1 4AW or online at www.explorelearning.co.uk/youngwriters with contact information. Explore Learning will be running free workshops with local libraries, schools and community groups. For more information visit www.explorelearning.co.uk/schools.