YOUNG people have been delving into the history of their schools for a writing challenge inspired by a popular Sentinel nostalgia supplement.

Keele University launched the English competition in November for 13 and 14-year-olds from its 'Keelelink' partner schools across Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire.

Each team of pupils was asked to research and develop an article, which gave an overview of their school's past or drew on tales or memories to show what life was like there in a previous decade.

The format was inspired by The Sentinel's weekly supplement All Our Yesterdays, which features readers' memories.

The 22 entries received in the first round have now been whittled down to 14. The teams have until March 8 to complete their articles, using no more than 600 words for each piece.

Five teams will then go through to the final in May and the winning entry will be published on The Sentinel's website.

Schools going through to the next round include Brownhills Maths and Computing College, in Tunstall, Blurton High, Sir William Stanier Community School, in Crewe, St Dominic's Priory School, in Stone, and Mitchell Business and Enterprise College, in Bucknall.