English Heritage is launching a creative writing competition set around designer Stella McCartney's shimmering crystal horse sculpture Lucky Spot, which hangs in Belsay Castle.

The competition is in conjunction with North East author David Almond, whose Carnegie Medal and Whitbread Award-winning novel Skellig has just enjoyed a small screen adaptation on Sky 1.

It is being launched at a creative writing and storytelling workshop hosted by David on Saturday at Belsay, where would-be authors will get the chance to learn from the expert.

David said: "The workshop will give people an idea of how I come up with my characters, creatures and ideas for stories and what inspires me to write stories like Skellig.

"I'll be talking about my working processes and hopefully inspiring the people who are there to think about how they might come up with their own stories. I'll show that we have extraordinary imaginations and that we can find astonishing stories inside ourselves."

Lynn Rylance, visitor operations manager at Belsay added: "We're encouraging potential entrants to visit the hall for inspiration and to take the sensory journey on a garden walk from the hall to the castle.
"On the way they will spot interesting clues such as glittering hoof prints and crystals in the trees to give people the idea that something magical has cantered by."

The writing competition is open to everyone, even if they have not attended the workshop. The only stipulation is that Lucky Spot must provide a strong element of the submitted entry.

It is open to all ages, published or unpublished, with prizes ranging from signed books by David to a family pass for unlimited days out with English Heritage. The winning story will also go on display at Belsay Hall. The winner will be announced in July.

Both of David's workshops will take place on Saturday at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens from 10am to noon and 2pm to 4pm.

Admittance to the workshop is part of the normal entrance fee and will be on a first come first served basis, with a maximum capacity of 100 per workshop.

To book a place, ring 01661 881636 or email belsayhorse@mhwpr.co.uk
Entry forms and rules for the competition are available from Belsay.
Belsay is open from10am to 5pm daily. Admission: Adult £6.40, concessions £5.10, children £3.20, family ticket £16 English Heritage members and under fives go free.