SIGHT for Wight's short story writing competition awards ceremony is taking place again on Monday — with the chance to have your winning entry read by four celebrities.

It is the third year running that Sight the Wight (Isle of Wight Society for the Blind) has run the competition, originally started nine years ago by international crime writing authors, RC Bridgestock.

This year, four celebrities, two with Isle of Wight connections, have agreed to donate their time for free to read the winning stories.

Jazz singer, Edana Minghella, well-known Isle of Wight actor, Melvyn Hayes, comedian Jo Brand and GMTV presenter, Kate Weston, have recorded the winning entries which will be broadcast on Vectis Radio.

The awards ceremony itself will take place at 7pm on Monday, December 17 at the Riverside Centre, Newport.

This free-entry annual fundraising event will include entertainment, a bar and, of course, the opportunity to hear extracts from the winning entries.

For 2018 the charity has added some extra sparkle to the occasion, as the theme for the story entries is ‘The Magic of Christmas’. The renowned Island magician, Huxley, will be performing his very special brand of magic and there will also be a performance by Melodic Choir.

Chris Cane, Sight for Wight’s Marketing, Communications & Fundraising Manager, said: ‘This is a great opportunity for budding Island writers to become published authors; we’ll be presenting some amazing prizes to thirty talented people. We are excited to have four celebrity readers this year, who have generously given their time to record the winning stories. We are also delighted, and honoured, to be welcoming this year’s High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight, Gioia Minghella-Giddens, to present some of the awards.

All are welcome to this evening of entertainment, one of the Charity’s major fundraising events of the year. The Sight for Wight annual raffle will be drawn. With more than twenty fabulous prizes all generously donated by local businesses and supporters. All of the proceeds will support the continuing work of the charity. Prizes include £100 cash, many gift bags that include vouchers for a great range of experiences such as meals, massage, dress shopping, theatre tickets, plus many other goodies.

The award ceremony starts at 7:00pm and doors open from 6:30pm. There will also be a trophy, provided by RC Bridgestock, for the Under 12’s category, who will have their story printed in the County Press and certificates for all winners; the other categories will have their stories published online.