A ‘hugely inspiring’ Writers’ Day, which welcomed both aspiring and established authors, was held n Ely on Saturday.

The event, which was organised and led by Rosemary Westwell, Hayley Humphrey and Mary McGuire, was packed with people interested in writing.

Rosemary said everyone gathered in Ely library to hear a number of local speakers including Mike Rouse, and some from as far away as Stoke and Oxford.

To close the day the Mayor of Ely Liz Every announced the winners of the short story competition.

The first prize was won by Denise Bayes for her story Memories of Shippea Hill.

The second prize went to Colette Grantham for Hands 1965 and the third prize to Miriam Brown for The Christmas Table.

The judges were Mary Nichols, a successful well-known local author who also gave a talk, Brenda Mead and Annabel Reddick. They said judging from the 42 short stories was extremely difficult because they found the standard so high.

One person who attended the day said: “The entire event was hugely inspiring and a wonderfully enthusiastic atmosphere.

“It was a fantastic Day”, she added.

The next Ely Writers’ Day will be on Saturday March 19 in Ely Library.