A TALE of love against the odds and a yarn about a plot to unleash a deadly gas were the readers' favourites in the Gazette's short story competition.
Lynne English, 60, won the Senior Scribes category of the inaugural contest with her story entitled Together They Were Happy.
She was presented with her prize, a £50 book token, by Roland Kannor, the managing director of sponsor Brentwood Brewing Company, and Gazette news editor Chris Richards.
The presentation took place on Wednesday at Highwood Surgery, in Geary Drive, Brentwood, where Mrs English works as the practice manager.
Those who entered the Senior Scribes category of our competition, which launched in October, were tasked with writing a 250-word story that made mention of beer or ale.
Mrs English, a mother of three who lives in Taverners Green Close, Wickford, told the Gazette: "I couldn't believe it when I found out I had won. I was absolutely amazed.
"I think the competition is a lovely idea and I would definitely like to enter again."
Mr Kannor, 51, said: "I think the competition has been very good and I would love the brewery to be involved with this again in the future."
The winner of the Junior Jotters category, meanwhile, was 11-year-old Katrina Airey with her story entitled Nobody Dared.
She was presented with her prize, again a £50 book token, by Dan Hunt, of sponsor Calcott Hall Farm.
The presentation took place at the farm's premises in Ongar Road, Pilgrims Hatch.
Katrina, who lives in Common Road, Ingrave and goes to St Martin's School, said: "I am really pleased and surprised to have won the Junior Jotters competition and am grateful for all the people who have voted.
"I mostly got inspiration from many of the books I have read and put together a story by focusing on one theme and then adding detail and elaborating. I am really pleased with my voucher and have already bought one book called I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter, and hope to get the rest of the series soon."
Her mum Dee, 38, said: "She is over the moon and it has given her more confidence in her writing.
"I am very proud of her."
Mr Hunt, 32, the manager of Calcott Hall Farm's shop, said: "Katrina has a very vivid imagination and I think her story was a worthy winner."
He added: "Encouraging youngsters to write is a great thing for us to be involved in."
As well as the readers' winners, the Gazette's competition featured a judges' favourites section.
The winners were chosen by a panel of five judges, which included authors Anne Cassidy and Maggie Freeman and Gazette editor Neville Wilson.
As reported in the Gazette on December 26, Steve Pinkney, a dad of two from Rosemead Gardens, Hutton, won the Senior Scribes category with his story A Taste Of Old Shadow.
The winner of the Junior Jotters category, meanwhile, was Emily-Ann Briscoe, 14, of Lodge Villas, Woodford Green, with her story Dear Amelia.
