Gemma's take on the Famous Five secures competition win

THE imagination of a 10-year-old has captured the attention of judges in a national writing competition.

Cheadle Primary School pupil Gemma Mills submitted her story, The Case Of The Fraud Music Examiner, into the competition to promote the new Famous Five films due out soon.

Thousands of children from across the country submitted full-length stories, in the style of a Famous Five novel by Enid Blyton, to the competition last year.

Year six pupil Gemma, of Friars Close, Cheadle, was announced runner-up in the competition.

She received a box containing Famous Five books and other goodies at a school assembly yesterday.

With a reading age of 16, Gemma is advanced beyond her years.

She said: "When we were told about the competition I couldn't think of any ideas at all. I was about to take my violin exam and all I remember about the story is that a music examiner was locked in the exam room.

"I thought it was going to be one of my friends who won, I think their stories are much better. I only remembered the name of my story when it was read out.

"I love reading. When I grow up I want to be a high court judge. I did want to be Prime Minister but changed my mind."

Gemma's mother, accountant Diane Millward, said: "I am so proud of Gemma. She is an absolute bookoholic.

"I can't stop her reading, she consumes everything. She loves Jacqueline Wilson and read five of the Harry Potter Books over the six-week summer holidays.

"When she goes to bed I can go up hours later and she'll be under the covers with a tiny light reading."

Mike Prescott, headteacher at Cheadle Primary, said: "Since she was in reception Gemma has had a real talent for writing. As a school we try to encourage children to write.

"With the current trends in text and email we think it is important children get as much writing practice as possible. "Although a lot of work is done on computers, exams for example, are still handwritten.

Gemma's teacher, Kate Thompson, said: "I have taught Gemma for two years now and her quality of work is outstanding. She is on the gifted and talented register for writing and comprehension.

"Nearly a year ago I told the class about the competition. It was open to every school in the country so there were a lot of entries."

Gemma's grandmother Jean Millward said: "I am really pleased for her. Gemma lives with her head in a book and always has done. She loves to read, something which has been passed down through the generations."

A letter to Gemma from Hodder Books, which organised the contest with Disney, said: "The judges agreed that your story demonstrated the greatest originality."