A SCHOOLGIRL has achieved what some would-be writers strive for all their lives – seeing her name in print.

Rumour Giles’s short story has been published in a national anthology of stories written by children across the country.

The book was published to celebrate World Book Day and 14-year-old Rumour, a pupil at Barton Court Grammar School, Canterbury, was presented with a copy by author – and one of the competition judges – Stewart Ross, from Blean.

Children were given the first line or lines of a short story by some of the biggest names in children’s books, including Jacqueline Wilson, Malorie Blackman and Mr Ross.

They then had to complete the story and the result is Why Were Her Toes Like That...? and Other Short Stories, featuring the 12 best tales in the country.

Rumour’s story, called Ghost-like, is a mystery. Her first line was penned by Jacqueline Wilson and the Bekesbourne teenager wrote the story during English lessons.

Although the year nine pupil said she enjoyed writing her own stories it was the first time she had entered a writing competition and she was surprised when she was told she was one of the 12 winners.

There were 3,000 entries in the competition, said Barton Court’s librarian Veronique Milot, who organised the school’s entry.

“It is fantastic news for Rumour and great news for the school. She is a very special person indeed,” she said.