The search is on for the borough’s young Storyteller of the Year.

Get Into Reading is the brainchild of intu Uxbridge – a campaign and competition which will encourage youngsters to flex their storytelling and writing muscles.

The Uxbridge High Street centre is working with professional storyteller Rosie Hudson, and she will visit local schools, children’s clubs and community groups to hold storytelling sessions for youngsters aged 7-11.

Those who participate in the sessions will then be tasked to write their own short story, using the skills taught in the workshop.

Rosie is a writer, storyteller, workshop leader, actor and presenter, and has been resident storyteller for three years at Somerset House in London’s Strand.

She has devised and held workshops alongside The Gruffalo illustrator, Axel Scheffler, as well as hosting the Tiffany and Co Christmas storytelling sessions.

“Storytelling is an essential part of growing up, whether it’s the books read to children at bedtime, or the imaginary friends, and even worlds, created by children while playing, there is a storyteller in every one of us,” said Rosie.

“The workshops I’ve devised for intu Uxbridge’s Get Into Reading campaign will get children’s imaginations fired up and teach them the skills to transfer their creative thoughts on to paper.

“I’m looking forward to starting the sessions and, ultimately, reading the children’s stories.”

Stories will be judged by an expert panel made up of Rosie, the marketing team at intu Uxbridge and Alan Hayes, news editor of the Uxbridge Gazette.

The winning story will be made into a book available for sale, with proceeds going to Beanstalk, a charity that recruits, vets, trains and supports volunteers to work in primary schools with children who have fallen behind with their reading.

Donna Watson, marketing manager at intu Uxbridge, said: “We’ve seen a number of different surveys over recent years which suggest parents are struggling to find the time to read a bedtime story to their child.

“Our campaign aims to get children, and hopefully parents too, back in to reading, to rediscover the magic of opening a book and getting lost in a story.

“We’re really excited about launching our Get Into Reading campaign and working with Rosie.

“These storytelling sessions will be a great learning experience for young children, so I urge local schools and community groups to get in touch to request a workshop.

“They’re completely free, and Rosie will come to your school or venue.”

Storytelling sessions can be arranged by emailing GetIntoReading@havasww.com

They will run from March to May and last 45 minutes to an hour each. Sessions are available on a first come, first served basis.

The deadline for story entries is June 28, 2014. Stories should not be more than 750 words and entries will be judged over the summer holiday period. The winner will be announced in September 2014.