A SCHOOLGIRL was surprised to receive a special copy of her competition winning work.

Olivia Smith from Ysgol Brynffordd has been named as the Wales winner of the inaugural Premier League Writing Stars competition.

Her poem ‘try try again' was selected as the winning poem for Wales in the Key Stage 1 age group of the competition, which saw 25,000 entries submitted by children in England and Wales.

Olivia was presented with a framed version of her poem, which she read out to schoolmates yesterday (Monday).

Ysgol Brynffordd acting head teacher Rachel Critchell praised 7-year-old Olivia, telling the Leader: "It is a massive achievement and we are all so proud of her.

"All the children in year two entered the competition and there were 25,000 entries, so when we told Olivia that she realised how special it was.

"She was really pleased and surprised when she was given the framed poem."

The winning poem was selected by an all-star judging panel, which featured former professional footballer and children’s author Frank Lampard OBE, Premier League footballer and lyricist Yannick Bolasie, Children’s Laureate Lauren Child and the young people’s laureate for London Caleb Femi, overseen by the National Literacy Trust Director, Jonathan Douglas.

Commenting on Olivia’s poem, Lauren Child said: “What we really liked about Olivia’s poem was that it is very personal to her.

"She has written about horse riding and she has also written an acrostic and there’s something very lovely about the way she has put her thoughts together and her progression.

"I can see she must be a rider the way that she has written it and if she is not then she is a very convincing writer, so well done.”

Frank Lampard said: “It’s been very tough to pick winners out of more than 25,000 entries. It’s been a great competition and we’ve seen a lot of quality.

"Congratulations to all the winners but congratulations to everybody who took part.”