Budding writers of all ages are invited to pen a short story in a bid to win prizes as part of an arts festival competition.

The theme of the Colliers Wood Arts Festival 2015 Short Story competition is Connecting.

The competition is being held as part of the fourth annual Colliers Wood Arts Festival, with more than 40 events planned over the next few weeks.

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The competition's theme is how people connect with each other, communities and places that have special meaning for them, but writers can interpret the theme in their own way.

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There is also a children’s short story competition for young writers between the ages of 12 and 18 years-old, with the theme of The Wood.

For youngsters, the word count should be no more than 500 words.

Judges will expect original, well-written narratives that express the theme and make effective use of language.

Stories will be read out by the authors at an event at the Donald Hope Library in Colliers Wood on Thursday, April 2.

There will be live music and refreshments as judges, including last year’s winner and Wimbledon Guardian chief reporter Becky Middleton, retire to consider their verdicts for first, second and third place.

The adult competition is open to adults over age of 18 years-old and the deadline for entries of no more than 800 words is Saturday, March 21, by 4.30pm.

Entry is free for the children’s short story competition and it has the same deadline.

With the entries, authors must include the following: Author's name, email address, contact number, postcode, how did you hear about the competition, title of your short story, and a word count.

To enter, email your entry in a Word document to cwwritingfest@gmail.com.

An entry fee of £2 should be made on the day for the adult competition.

For more information on both competitions and other festival events visit www.collywood.org.uk/arts.