A WIRRAL schoolgirl was invited to Buckingham Palace after she made it to the final of a writing competition.

Alice Ainsworth, from Prenton Preparatory School, was selected as one of 50 finalists across the UK who entered the BBC 500 Words.

The eight-year-old budding writer was chosen for her story titled The Friendly Giant.

Wirral Globe: Alice AinsworthAlice Ainsworth (Image: Mark Ainsworth)

Alice’s dad, Mark Ainsworth, told the Globe: “I was made up when I found out she had been selected as a finalist. We are so proud of her.

“English is her favourite subject in school. She loves reading books and writing stories. She’s always doing it.

“I love the ideas she comes up with they are always just so raw and creative. She has such a magical little mind.”

Wirral Globe: Eight-year-old AliceEight-year-old Alice (Image: Mark Ainsworth)

Since the competition was first launched in 2011 by Chris Evans on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, it has received over one million stories from children throughout the UK.

For the 2023 competition, 44,000 entries were submitted for the two age categories (five-seven year-olds and eight-eleven year-olds).

Children of all abilities are encouraged to use their creativity and imagination to write a story they would love to read without the pressure of having to worry about spelling, punctuation and grammar.

On Wednesday, February 28, Alice and her dad, along with the other finalists, joined The Queen at the 500 Words Grand Final at Buckingham Palace.

Wirral Globe: Alice outside Buckingham PalaceAlice outside Buckingham Palace (Image: Mark Ainsworth)

Judges Sir Lenny Henry, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Francesca Simon, Charlie Higson and Malorie Blackman announced the winners of the competition and read out the winning stories.

Mark said: “Alice was buzzing about it. She was so excited to go into the palace. She loved it and had so much fun.

“She’s raring to go she’s already writing her story for next year.

“Alice was the only child to get through from the Wirral so I think it’s good to push other local kids to get involved next year as it was a brilliant experience all round.”

The winners of both categories will be announced during a special programme on BBC's The One Show on World Book Day. The episode will air tomorrow Thursday, March 7.

Read Alice's story here.