YOUNG writers who immersed themselves in the lives of people on the front line and back home in the First World War have picked up awards for their stories and poems.

The Berkshire in the First World War Project writing competition was for young people under 18 years to create fictional stories and poems around the horrors of the conflict.

Project coordinator John Arcus said he was delighted with the quality of entries.

The winners were awarded book tokens ranging from £90 to £40 with runners-up being awarded certificates at a ceremony on Tuesday evening at Reading Central Library.

Mr Arcus said: “It can be hard for young people to engage in what happened despite the research they may do.

“We didn’t know at the beginning how young people would respond and what they know about the war.

“We were pleasantly surprised by the entries and a lot were referencing actual events within a fictional piece.

“The level of literacy was really high and had me reaching for the dictionary on occasion.”

Each of the winners and highly commended were given a specially produced book of their stories called A Million Flowers For A Million Men.

The compilation is also available to read at the Central Library in Kings Road, Reading.