WILLS WRITING AWARDS 2010 RECORD-EQUALLING ENTRY

WILLS WRITING AWARDS MEDIA RELEASE


Entries for the 18th annual Wills Writing Awards closed on Sunday, February 28, with a record-equalling entry of 169, the same as in 2009 and well ahead of the previous record of 132, established in 1995 and 2007.



Of these, 82 (2009: 64) were in the under 26 category, 48 (2009: 44) were in the under 19 category and 39 (2009: 61) were in the under 15 category. The record entry in the senior, under 26, category is particularly pleasing.



The expected timetable is as follows:



By Wednesday, March 17, entrants will learn whether or not they have been shortlisted.


By Wednesday, March 31, those shortlisted will learn, confidentially, whether or not they are winner or runner-up in their category.


On Wednesday, April 14, the results will be publicly announced and the awards presented at Newmarket Racecourse.




Notes for Editors:



The Wills Writing Awards are for creative writing around a horseracing theme by young people resident in the UK or the Republic of Ireland.



The Awards are organised by the Martin Wills Memorial Trust, a UK-registered charity. The Trust commemorates Martin Wills, a journalist and amateur jockey, who died in 1992, aged 39.



The website address is www.willswritingawards.co.uk





Enquiries:



Charles Ponsonby



020 7367 8851



charles.ponsonby@bankside.com



Chairman, Martin Wills Memorial Trust



ENDS