A royal chapter for young writer

A SEVEN-year-old from Goole has made the final of the BBC 500 Words creative writing competition for the second year in a row, winning her a visit to Windsor Castle and a meeting with the Queen and stars of stage and TV Peyton Kershaw was a finalist in the five to seven age category with her story Ralf’s Big Racing Dream.

- By DEBORAH HALL

The final 50 in the BBC 500 Words competition with celebrity readers, The One Show hosts and Queen Camilla

She was invited to the final and reception at Windsor, along with her mum Natalie, by Queen Camilla, on Wednesday February 25. It was the second time Peyton had enjoyed a right royal occasion - she made it through to the final 50 of the contest last year when she got to visit Buckingham Palace.

Peyton said: “I loved going to Windsor Castle this time after going to Buckingham Palace last year. It was really sunny and we got to take lots of pictures outside.

“I got to meet the Queen again. She shook my hand and I told her I'd made the final last year as well. She made me promise her that I would enter again this year to see if I could make the final for a third time.”

The Year 3 pupil at Parkside Primary School, Goole, said: “My favourite part of the day was meeting the Gladiators, but especially Diamond. She is my favourite Gladiator so I was so excited to meet her.

“She was so nice, we had pictures and she gave me a hug. I also met Steel who was really nice and gave me a high five.

“I met so many celebrities while I was there. I met Alex Jones and Roman Kemp, and Alex said she remembered us from last year. She said she really liked my dress, too.”