A ten-year-old boy has been crowned the winner of a national writing competition and now has been inspired to write his own book.

Hansraj Ramlagan from Tunbridge Wells, has been named the winner of the National Young Writer's Award after his story was selected the best out 14,000 entries.

Entrants were required to write a 500-word story with the theme ‘fairy tales and fables’.

The young writer, from Claremont Primary School, was given his prize of a cup, a family trip to Disneyland Paris and £500 worth of books for his school, at a surprise assembly.

This year’s judge, best-selling illustrator and author of the Tom Gates series of books, Liz Pichon, presented him with his prize in front of the whole school, on Banner Farm Road.

Hansraj, of Garden Road, said: "I felt so proud to have this big acheivement, I couldn't believe it. I am happy because I made my teachers, friends and parents proud.

"I definitely want to write more as I grow up."

The competition, now in its sixth year, is organised by tuition provider Explore Learning, which has 93 centres across the UK, including one in Southborough which Hansraj attends.

The young writer's parents and members of staff from Explore Learning attended his prizegiving.

He fought off tough competition from entrants from across the country with his story entitled The Milkman and the Fairies, a tale about a down-on-his-luck, kind-hearted milkman who is given a surprise from celestial woodland fairies.

Proud mum Simla, 38, said: "It was a really proud moment, I can't express in words how proud the whole family is.

"He has been writing since he was young, and has previously done book reviews.

"Hansraj has now said he is thinking about his first book already, I really hope he follows his passion."

The mum-of-two has said Hansraj's three-year-old sister Yashvi also has a passion for books, and hopes she will follow in her brother's footsteps.

Judge Liz Pichon, said: "All of the finalists’ stories were fantastic; I was so impressed at the incredibly high standard of writing.

"There were some amazing, creative, interesting and funny tales. It made picking a winner very hard.

“In the end, I chose Hansraj’s The Milkman and the Fairies because it grabbed my attention right from the start and held it all the way through to the lovely ending.

"It had everything you could want in a great fairy tale, including excellent descriptions throughout and lots of fairies too. Well done to everyone, especially Hansraj!”

Since launching six years ago, hundreds of thousands of children all over the country have taken part, overwhelming the team at Explore Learning with their imaginative tales and creative stories, and staff at the organisation say this year has been no different.

"All of the finalists’ stories were fantastic; I was so impressed at the incredibly high standard of writing" - Liz Pichon

Carey Ann Dodah, head of curriculum at Explore Learningsaid: “We have been thrilled with the quality of entrants we have received this year.

"We recently found that a massive three quarters of parents in the UK say their children either never write stories or only do so when tasked by their teachers which is just terrible.

"The aim of this award is to encourage children to pick up pen and paper and not be afraid of giving writing a try so a big well done to all our young writers.”