Two sets of siblings reach BBC’s 500 Words final

The BBC’s annual writing competition, 500 Words, has announced its finalists for this year’s competition, and two sets of siblings have made it to the final round. The competition, which challenges children aged 5 to 13 to write a short story of no more than 500 words, has been running since 2011 and continues to inspire young writers across the UK.

The first set of siblings, Emily and Jack Turner, aged 8 and 10 respectively, have both impressed the judges with their imaginative stories. Emily’s story, “The Magical Forest”, follows the adventures of a young girl who discovers a hidden world within her local woods. Jack’s story, “The Time-travelling Detective”, sees a young detective solving mysteries across different time periods.

The second set of siblings, Lily and Oliver Patel, aged 11 and 13, have also made it to the final round with their captivating stories. Lily’s story, “The Mystery of the Missing Necklace”, is a thrilling detective story set in her school. Oliver’s story, “The Quest for the Lost Treasure”, takes the reader on a high-stakes adventure across an island in search of hidden riches.

The finalists will have the opportunity to attend the live final at Windsor Castle, where the winners will be announced by special guest judges. The competition aims to encourage young people to develop their writing skills and unleash their creativity through storytelling.

This year’s finalists prove that talent runs in the family, with these two sets of siblings showcasing their storytelling abilities and imagination. The BBC’s 500 Words competition continues to be a platform for young writers to share their stories and inspire others with their creativity.