Primary school children from Melplash and its surrounding areas are being given an opportunity to enter a new writing competition.

Melplash Agricultural Society’s education programme, Discover Farming, is holding a non-fiction writing competition that is connected to food and farming.

Four topics have been chosen for children to base their pieces of literature on.

They are: why farming matters to them; healthy eating habits; why farming is the biggest job on the planet and their favourite farming season.

Discover Farming aims to inspire a new generation about farming and agriculture and help them find out more about the industry.

Katie Vining, Discover Farming education co-ordinator, said: "We are very excited about our new writing competition and thank Chesters Harcourt for their kind sponsorship.

"It is important to us in the Discover Farming classroom that all local children know where their food comes from, the role that local farmers have in bringing nutritious food to the table and how by doing so they care for the land and the environment."

The Discover Farming classroom is based at Washingpool Farm just outside Bridport, and is available for schools, local clubs and youth organisations to visit.

The teaching sessions are also run by Katie, who is a former primary school teacher.

She added: "In the classroom they can learn all about how food travels from farm to fork, take part in hands-on-activities and also discover just how exciting a career in agriculture can be.

"The classroom is open throughout the school term and is free for all local schools within a 12-mile radius of Melplash village church to visit."

Entries will also be split into four categories depending on which year groups the children are in, with the winner of each category receiving a certificate and book voucher for £30.

The schools considered by the judges to have the best entries overall will also receive a certificate and £500, with the runner up grabbing £250 in book vouchers.

Closing date for entries is Friday, November 3. Entries will be judged by a panel with relevant experience in primary writing and members of the Melplash Agricultural Society.

To enter contact Katie Vining, the Discover Farming education co-ordinator by email at katie@discoverfarming.co.uk.

For more information visit www.discoverfarming.co.uk