THE adoption of an animal at Colchester Zoo was the first prize of a children s handwriting competition organised by a Saffron Walden shop. The Writing Desk, within The Earth Collection at 40 High Street, invited all local schools to take part in the summ

THE adoption of an animal at Colchester Zoo was the first prize of a children's handwriting competition organised by a Saffron Walden shop.

The Writing Desk, within The Earth Collection at 40 High Street, invited all local schools to take part in the summer holiday activity.

Entries were judged in two categories - four to seven years, and eight to 11 - by two award-winning local authors, Clare Mulley and Amy Corzine, both of Walden Writers.

The winning prize also included eight complimentary tickets to the zoo, a personalised plaque on the animal's enclosure, an adoption certificate, information and photographs on the adopted animal.

Runners-up prize was a selection of Italian stationery, including natural, handmade paper notelets and envelopes, and a pen made from Venetian glass.

Shop manager Hannah Proud said "We were really pleased with the numbers of children who took part, and very impressed with the standard of the handwriting."

The winner of the four-seven category was Sophie Ollerenshaw, aged seven, and the runner-up was her sister, six-year-old Tilly. Both attend Dame Bradbury's School. Sophie chose a Goeldi's monkey to be adopted as her prize.

In the eight to 11 age group, the winner was nine-year-old Eliza Parry Williams, from Rickling Church of England Primary School, and the runner-up was Claudia Goodman, aged eight, from Dame Bradbury's. Eliza chose a Columbian Black Spider monkey, which has been adopted for her.

"Handwriting is such an important skill and we wanted to provide an incentive for children," said Mrs Proud. "We hope to make this an annual competition and would love to receive even more entries next year."

The Writing Desk in The Earth Collection stocks a fine collection of Italian high quality stationery, such as handmade paper and envelopes, quills and inks, seals and waxes, and lots of accessories such as blotters and inkwells.

For more information pop into the shop, call 01799 516070, e-mail shop@tecsaffronwalden.co.uk or visit www.tecsaffronwalden.co.uk