Budding Hexham writer interviews David Almond as essay prize

A teenager who wowed judges with her writing skills has won the chance to interview a famous author.

Lucy Stanford, from Hexham clinched the top spot in an Amnesty International UK essay competition and was chosen to meet renowned children's writer David Almond.

The 15-year-old pupil at Queen Elizabeth High School, in Hexham, is a member of Amnesty International UK's Youth Advisory Group, which is made up of 30 youngsters aged between 14 and 18 from across the country.

Members of the group wrote essays on how authors can help raise awareness about human rights. Lucy's entry was judged the best and her prize was to interview David, also from Hexham.

He has won numerous awards including his first book Skellig, which won the Whitbread Children's Award.