Gateshead Council's short story competition is open to anyone who lives, works or receives full-time education in Gateshead (excluding Gateshead Council Libraries & Arts employees). As 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, the competition takes the title 'Reach for the Stars' which you can interpret as you wish. The closing date is noon on Monday 9 March 2009. Winning entries will be published on Gateshead Council's website and will be available in all Gateshead libraries. There are also cash prizes for the winners: 11 years and under: 1st prize £50 / 2nd prize £35 / 3rd prize £15 12 - 18 years: 1st prize £75 / 2nd prize £50 / 3rd prize £25 Over 18 years 1st prize £150 / 2nd prize £100 / 3rd prize £75 To enter, send a copy of your story to dorothycameron@gateshead.gov.uk you should also include your name, address, postcode, telephone number, email address, age on 9 March 2009 (if 18 or under), school currently attended and title of work submitted. This information should not be written on the story itself, and the story should not have been published or read on television, radio or stage.