A STORY competition has produced a range of inspiring entries from children which have been published in a new book to be officially launched on Saturday.

Optometrist Simon Berry, who launched the Gilesgate Story Challenge, said: “We are delighted to be able to publish all 70 entries, from eight schools in Durham and to have it stocked in the city’s Waterstones, where it will launched with a book signing."

Six winning entries include a story by Martha and Susannah Child, who have learned Makaton sign language to help them communicate with their younger sister who has Down’s syndrome.

The overall prize went to Jayden Vierra, nine, whose story has the message there is nothing bad about getting glasses.

Mr Berry said: “The Gilesgate Story Challenge was aimed to inspire kids to use their imagination to write stories about eyes or vision. It got a little bigger than we thought.

“We tried to keep it all inclusive, for children aged from five to 16, including people with learning disabilities and groups of children. We ended up self-publishing a book.

Mr Berry, who has a practice in Gilesgate, said: “What was surprising was that in 45 per cent of the stories the characters of stories were bullied for wearing glasses.

“It doesn’t mean the authors necessarily have had first-hand experience in bullying, but it does mean this is what children might think happen.

“Glasses still hold negative connotation. It’s the classic thing, where anyone with any disability or is slightly if different, tend to be they get picked on. But I would have thought glasses are quite cool now and trendy.”

He added: “The nice thing about these stories is it’s their own voices. We haven’t corrected the grammar.”

The book signing will be at Waterstones at 11am on Saturday. Priced at £6.50, all proceeds go to Grace House, in Sunderland, which provides short break and respite care for children and young people.

Mr Berry said: “I have been a trustee of Grace House for five years now. I’ll be stepping down this year so I am really hoping that we raise a lot of money from this project because it will be my final one as a trustee of the charity.

The stories were judged by Mr Berry, children’s author Lucy Catchpole and illustrator Tim Cole who illustrated the winning story. Miles Nelson provided extra doodles and was responsible for the type-setting.