A ten-year-old from Harpenden has won a prize in a national contest designed to find the best young writers.

Susanna Tredinnick said she had to pinch herself when she was announced winner at the Wicked Young Writers’ Award held in London.

The Crabtree Junior School pupil travelled to the Apollo Victoria Theatre earlier this month where she was presented with her prize by War Horse author Michael Morpurgo.

Susanna’s winning entry was titled "The Most Annoying Thing about My Little Brother" - a piece penned about her eight-year-old sibling. 

Susanna, who lives in Marquis Lane, said: "I was amazed to hear I have won - I didn’t expect it at all.

"I have always loved writing and will continue to do so for a while."

There were more than 5,000 entries from schools and individuals around the country. The winning and highly commended entries included stories and poems about bullying, love, dementia and memory loss and the traumatic effects of war.

Susanna’s mother Melissa said she was "very proud" of her daughter.

The 39-year-old said: "Susanna has always loved writing and she has done so well. The ceremony was an amazing experience and to hear she had won was great."

Bosses behind the West End show launched the competition in 2010 to recognise excellence in writing and help develop writing talent in young people.

Mr Morpurgo said: "All these talented young writers have allowed their imagination to live and breathe.

"They haven’t been afraid to tell their stories and speak their poems down and to express themselves with originality and flair."

The winning entry:

The most annoying thing about my little brother
Is all the time he takes up with my mother
Talking about all the characters' names
In his latest video games

He wakes up too early in the morning
(He shouldn't because he's always yawning)
He calls, "Mummy, can I play LEGO Star Wars?"
She says, "Yes, but when it's time for breakfast, put it on pause!"

At school he spies on me and my friends
Sniggering at us until playtime ends.
He loves to run past and stick out his tongue
And if I tell him to stop he'll wiggle his bum

While I'm brushing my teeth
I can hear whoops from beneath
For my little brother never gets tired or rests
He puts my parents' nerves to the test.

At bedtime when I'm lying in bed
Reading and cuddling up to my ted
Suddenly he'll ask me to play fight,
To build LEGO or read him stories all night.
 
But the most annoying thing about my little brother
Is none of the above, one or the other
It's that when I'm feeling cross or vile
My little brother can still make me smile.