THE TALENT of unpublished Isle of Wight writers was recognised at an awards ceremony at Newport Minster last night (Wednesday).
The Wight Fair Writers Circle crime and intrigue presentation evening, organised by Wight Fair Writers' Circle, supported the County Press and Isle of Wight Radio Charity Challenge, raising funds throughout the year for the Isle of Wight Young Carers and Carisbrooke Priory.
The level of crime and intrigue-themed writing in all four categories — adults, under 18s and under 12s — was deemed to be a high standard by judges and organiser Carol Bridgestock.
First place in the adults section was Andrew Preskey, with his thought-provoking and hard-hitting short story — Identity Theft. He received a prize of £75 for his efforts, sponsored by BritWriters.
In second place was Michael Pope for his piece, Initial Impression, and received a prize of £50.
Solei McLinden claimed third place for Instinct, and scooped £25 prize money.
Andrew has been invited to the BritWriters awards ceremony in London in November and will also be a guest on Isle of Wight Radio.
In the Under 18s category, first place went to Eloise Preston for A Desperate Crime. She received £50 prize money and an invite to the BritWriters award ceremony.
Second place was Hannah Bean with Cops and Robbers, who received £25, with Peter Herman, author of A Surprise in Switzerland, finishing third and claiming £10.
Book tokens went to Tyler Smith, Sophie Robinson, Luke Gregory and Ollie Rackett, Mikey Wilkins, Victoria Jones and Victoria Rabbits.
In the Under 12s class, A Murder With A Knot, by Clare Duddigan won first place and £30 prize money. Second place went to Beth Hammond for Mistakes, who received £20, with third place and £10 going to Naomi Celine Baker for The Chain and Ball.
Book tokens went to Morgan McLinden, Che Edge, Steven Humphries, Amelia Parker and Max Edge.
The awards and certificates were presented by IW Radio's Heather McCallum and County Press features writer, Kate Young.
Under 12s winner Clare, 11, of Carpenters Road, St Helens, decided to enter after she spotted a story about it in the County Press.
Bembridge Primary School pupil Clare said: "I love writing murder stories that have a strange twist in the tale."