A CELEBRITY singer will be the special guest judge at the eleventh edition of a children's writing competition.

The Explore Learning Writers’ Awards are open for the eleventh year for children aged four to 14 and aims to inspire the next generation of authors.

Children are tasked with creating a 500-word story all about how they could transform the world, whether that’s by making waves to save the planet, becoming a superhero, exploring time travel or anything else their imaginations can conjure.

The winner of the competition will be announced during a surprise assembly in which former Britain's Got Talent star Ms Dixon and the team from Explore Learning will present them with a trophy, a trip to Disneyland Paris for their family and £500 worth of books for their school.

Every child that enters will receive a certificate to celebrate their story, along with personalised feedback from one of Explore Learning’s inspirational tutors.

Ms Dixon has recently found success with her children's book series Lightning Girl.

She said: “I am really looking forward to reading all of the imaginative ways the children of this country would change the world in this year’s Explore Learning Writers’ Awards.

"Having written stories myself, I know how rewarding it is and really hope they will take as much pleasure from it as I have. This is a great way to capture young imaginations and encourage thinking about bigger issues, while developing their writing abilities.’’

Previous judges of the awards have included some of the UK’s most prolific children's book authors like David Walliams, Steve Backshall, Cressida Cowell, Lauren Child and Alan Durant

Charlotte Gater, head of curriculum at Explore Learning added: “We are thrilled to have Alesha Dixon as our judge for 2019.

Her Lightning Girl series is so popular with our members and we know that she will inspire lots of children across the UK to get writing.

We are so excited to now be open for entries and can’t wait to read the incredible stories the children of the UK come up with.”

To help kick start children’s imagination, Explore Learning will be running a number of free creative writing workshops in their centres, libraries and schools.

Children can enter the Explore Learning Writers Awards now by visiting their local Explore Learning centre for an entry form or entering online at www.explorelearning.co.uk/writersawards.

Stories can be handed back in, filed online or sent to Explore Learning’s head office at ELWA, Explore Learning, 74 North Street, Guildford, GU1 4AW.

Any entries should include contact information so the organisers can get in touch. The competition runs until May 5.