An ELLESMERE student has picked up the prize for second place in a national writing competition inspired by a famous English poet.

Ronan Phillips, of Ellesmere College, won £150 for himself and £500 for the library at his college after finishing second in The Canterbury Tales Writing Competition 2019/20, inspired by Geoffrey Chaucer.

The Year 12 student finished second in the senior category, aimed at those aged between 15 and 18.

Ronan said he did not expect to achieve such a high finish, and was pleased to have tested his writing ability against those across the country.

He said: "I was really surprised and pleased with the achievement of coming second in this competition outside school against students from all over the country."

The competition is open to all children, whether educated in school, at home or by other young people's community organisations.

Daniel Bottom, head of English at of Ellesmere College, said: "Ronan has done exceptionally well to take second place in such a prestigious national writing competition. It's great news for him and wonderful news for the college.

"The competition, now in its third year, invokes the spirit of Chaucer's works and was inaugurated by The Chaucer Heritage Trust in honour of one of our best-known, best-loved and most influential writers of all time. The trust is working very hard in so many ways to ensure the works and legacy of Chaucer continue to live on for new generations to discover, learn about and enjoy his works. This competition is part of that effort.

"Entrants had to submit a work of no more than 500 words in one of three categories: a poem about hopes and dreams, a story set in a dream, or a description of a character met in a dream.

"By all accounts, there was a fantastic response in all three categories and it was an unbelievably difficult task for the judges to reach their decision in all three classes.

“It's a great achievement by Ronan and we really couldn't be more delighted. Many, many congratulations.

"The £500 cash award to the college is very much appreciated and will be put to good use in our library, and I'm sure it didn't take long for Ronan to think about how his £150 second place prize would be spent."