The Perse School student Lizzie Freestone win BBC's National Young Writers' Competition

A 14-year-old student from Cambridge scooped the top prize in the BBC's National Young Writers' Competition.

A 14-year-old student from Cambridge scooped the top prize in the BBC’s National Young Writers’ Competition.

Lizzie Freestone, a Year 10 student at The Perse School, won with her story Ode to a Boy Musician and hopes to one day publish her own book.

“I never expected to win…and it was such a surprise. To say I’m happy is an understatement, I am overwhelmed and really can’t believe it,” said Lizzie.

A team of judges including BBC Radio One’s Alice Levine, who said: “We received some incredible entries and the standard was very high, but one story really stood out and that was Lizzie’s.

“She was one of the youngest people that entered and she was also the unanimous favourite. Her writing was beautiful. Her story makes you feel unnerved and really brings out unusual emotions.”

Lizzie, who says her favourite subjects are English, mathematics and drama, wanted to write a story about music and how it can affect people’s lives.

“My story is about a boy playing the piano and the room and the situation he is in. It’s an emotional piece and it’s left on a cliff-hanger. I love writing short stories, it’s relaxing and interesting and it’s like a hobby. The story I entered is one of my favourites - I just thought I would submit my story and see what would happen.”

You can listen to Lizzie’s story here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3r4lZD2h1fNmw7tz0MLFpcn/bbc-young-writers-award-2016.