Organisers of an annual short story competition have called for local writers to submit their entries in time for next months deadline.

The Allen Raine Short Story competition is now in its third year since its launch by the Allen Raine Celebration Society in 2008.

We are hoping for a bumper crop this year following two very successful competitions last year and the year before, said competition administrator David Heal.

Stories can be in English or Welsh, original and unpublished. They can be about any subject and in any genre, but they must be set in Wales. There is a first prize of £100 for the winner in each language thanks to sponsor Parthian books and for second placed writers the Ceredigion Coast Set collection will be given, also by Parthian.

The Allen Raine Celebration Society was founded to commemorate the life and work of the Newcastle Emlyn born author who was born Anne Adaliza Evans in 1836. Her novels were international best-sellers in the years before her death in 1910. A plaque in her memory was unveiled at Bank House in Newcastle Emlyn in May this year and Raines grave in St. Michaels churchyard, Penbryn, has been restored by the society.

The annual competition is open to all, but entries must arrive by Friday, September 10, at the latest. The winning entries will be announced at the Allen Raine Celebration Evening to be held in Newcastle Emlyn on Friday, October 8.

Full details of how to enter will be found at the societys website http://www.allenraine.comFurther">www.allenraine.comFurther information from David Heal, competition administrator at [email protected]">[email protected] or on 07808298222.