A pupil from a Harpenden school has been chosen as the winner of a national story writing competition.

Ella Morete, 13, a Year 8 pupil at Sir John Lawes in Manland Way, beat hundreds of entries to the National Literacy Trust’s Alex Rider Secret Mission competition, which challenged pupils in Year 5 to 9 to write an adventure story.

Pupils could either use a story starter provided by Anthony Horowitz, author of the Alex Rider books or by creating their own original story.

Ella’s entry, Saved, tells the story of a family who are forced to steal to stay alive, with tragic consequences. It was chosen by a panel of judges, including Anthony Horowtiz’s Editor at Walker Books, Jane Winterbotham.

Gemma Niebieszczanski, the National Literacy trust’s Network and Competitions Manager, said: "Ella’s fantastic story was filled with tension, with a well-developed lead character, clever use of asides and a gripping plot."

As her prize, Ella has won an iPad, a signed set of Alex Rider books and £50 in book vouchers, as well as £200 worth of Anthony Horowitz books for her school.