A Beaconsfield resident has been rewarded after being shortlisted in a national creative writing competition.

Sourat Fatima, 26, entered the English Speaking Board’s (ESB) Christmas Creative Writing competition and competed against 200 other adult learners from schools, colleges and learning centres across the UK and around the world.

Ms Fatima is originally from Pakistan and has dedicated the last year to learning English at the Buckinghamshire Adult Learning Centre in Green Street, High Wycombe.

The writer was shortlisted along with 15 others and, although she didn’t win the overall first prize, was awarded an ESB goodie bag, chocolates and gift voucher for her entry.

In her piece for the competition, she wrote: “I belong to a religion which does not celebrate Christmas, but I personally think that every festival is beautiful and we should respect all festivals from every culture.”

Mark Wynne, of the ESB, said on the organisation’s website: “It is fantastic to see so many people getting involved with our competition.

“The standard of entries was outstanding and it was very difficult to pick a winner.”

Ms Fatima is now dedicated to helping others learn English after becoming a volunteer on the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) entry 1 – Speaking and Listening for Ladies course, which runs on Tuesdays at Green Street.

Zahir Mohammed, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at Bucks County Council, said: “It is inspiring to hear how one of our adult learners has done so well in such a prestigious competition. She should be very proud of what she has achieved.”

For more information on ESOL courses, call 01296 398957 (Aylesbury/Chilterns) or 01494 475975 (Wycombe/South Bucks) or visit www.adultlearningbcc.ac.uk.