Young newshounds are invited to enter a competition to be in with a chance of getting published and winning a top price of £250.

They need to be aged between 16-18 and resident in the UK to compete in a Stars of the Future competition.

It is being staged by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations.

Deadlines are an important factor in the news-gathering business, so entrants need to be aware of the competition's closing date - Friday, May 27. The competition opens on April 18.

You need to write a 200-word news story about events or issues in your community, school or college, or family.

An NCTJ spokesman said: !It must be original, unpublished work and include at least one direct quote as the result of an interview.

"The aim is to educate students about training opportunities, increase students' awareness of the career paths available in journalism, and provide information about how they can get into its various areas."

There will be two winners - one for the regional category who will receive a certificate with their story published in the press.

The national winner additionally scoops £250 provided by the NCTJ and the Society of Editors.

The NCTJ is dedicated to providing a world-class education and training system that develops current and future journalists for the demands of a fast-changing multimedia industry.

Email your entries to gravesendmessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk.

Competition terms and conditions:

1. No purchase necessary

2. The NCTJ Stars of the Future competition is open to UK citizens between the ages of 16 and 18 years old on April 18, 2011.

3. All entries must be original unpublished stories of approx 200 words.

4. Entries must be about issues or events relating to the local area, community or your school.

5. Entries should not be extracts from longer works.

6. Writers may submit one entry only.

7. Entries must be submitted to your local newspaper in the form they request.

8. The closing date for entries is Friday, May 27, 2011. Entries will not be accepted after that date.

9. All winning entries will be published on www.nctj.com.

10. By submitting an entry all entrants thereby grant the National Council for the Training of Journalists the right to publish their entry on www.nctj.com in the event of their entry being shortlisted and/or winning the competition.

11. The National Council for the Training of Journalists cannot accept responsibility for entries which are not received or which are received after the closing date due to technical failure or for any other reason.

12. Winners agree to participate in publicity events in connection with the competition.

13. The NCTJ reserves the right to change the rules of this competition without notice.

14. The winner of the regional competition will be notified week commencing 13 June 2011, and the winning entry published in the regional press.

15. The winner of the national competition will be notified on Friday, July 1, 2011 and the winning entry published on www.nctj.com.

16. The decision of the competition judges will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.

17. Employeees of the NCTJ and any participating newspapers, and members of their immediate family, are excluded from entering the competition.

18. The NCTJ and the Society of Editors will provide one prize of £250 for the national winner.