An aspiring writer from The Catholic High School in Chester has won one of the national Lancaster Writing Awards, which recognise emerging young literary talent.

Sixth-former Clare Tierney impressed judges including poet Paul Farley and literary critic Terry Eagleton with her entry for the poetry category, LexIcon.

Clare, who found out she had won at a ceremony in Lancaster on Friday (June 26), has received £200 and will see her work included in prestigious literary journal Cake.

She said: “I entered the competition on a whim, not expecting to hear anything more after I sent off my entry.

“I feel privileged to have been shortlisted and eve more thrilled to have won.”

Daniel Bottom, head of English at the Catholic High, said staff and students are ‘very happy’ that Clare’s talent has been recognised.

Now in their third year, the Lancaster Writing Awards are organised by Lancaster University’s English and creative writing department, and note writing talent in literary criticism, prose fiction and poetry.

Prof Sally Bushell, head of Lancaster’s English and creative writing department, said: “We were delighted to receive so many entries from all over the country for the Lancaster Writing Awards 2015.

“Once again, the standard of work from the entrants was tremendously impressive.

“The aim of these awards is to encourage and recognise new talent and, on the basis of these entries, it is clear that this talent is abundantly evident. Congratulations to Clare for winning!”

Clare enjoyed cream tea with judges and members of department following her triumph.