LOCAL writers are invited to put pen to paper ... if they want to see their work on stage next year.

Somerset Fellowship of Drama is launching its Original Playwriting Competition for 2005/6.

The competition is for new one-act and full-length plays which have not been previously performed.

Silverware, cash and the chance to see new work brought to life on stage await the winning writers.

There is also a special trophy, the Brewhouse Cup, for the best script suitable for performance by young people.

The top three one-act plays will be staged in the Fellowship's Original Play Festival to be held at the Warehouse Theatre in Ilminster, Somerset, during February 2006.

The competition is open to writers from Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucester, South Gloucester, Bristol, Somerset, North Somerset and Wiltshire.

For further details and entry forms write in the first instance to Olwen Herridge at Stonecrops, Munday's Court Lane, Long Sutton, Langport, Somerset, TA10 9NG.

All writers receive feedback on their entries from Somerset Fellowhip of Drama's panel of readers.