A prestigious writing competition saw entries from nearly 80 different countries.

The Bridport Prize 2018, which was running for its 47th year, saw more than 12,000 entries submitted to the poetry, short story, flash fiction and first novel categories.

The competition is one of the oldest literary awards in the UK and was established by Bridport Art Centre's founder, Peggy Chapman-Andrews.

Kate Wilson, Bridport Prize Administrator, said: "We are very much looking forward to welcoming the prize-winners and judges to the arts centre this coming weekend.

"Yet again, we have been astonished by the range and quality of the work submitted to the competition.

"The Bridport Prize can truly be seen as a stepping stone to a literary career.

"In the past few months, both the winner and runner-up in last year's Peggy Chapman-Andrews Award for a First Novel, Deepa Anaparra and Stephanie Scott, have sold their books for six-figure sums.

"We congratulate them and all the winners in this year's competition."

The winners for each category in this year's competition are:

Poetry Category Winners:

  • 'Exhibition' by John Freeman, Cowbridge

Short Story Category Winner:

  • 'The Fore Caddy' by V. Sanjay Kumar, India

Flash Fiction Category Winner:

  • 'The Grand Finale' by Tim Craig, London

The Peggy Chapman-Andrews Award for a First Novel Category Winner:

  • 'The Messenger' by Megan Davis, London

This year's Dorset Award for the highest placed writer from Dorset has been won by Simon Middleton from Bridport for his poem, 'Space Was a Material'.

Simon said: "I am delighted to win this year's Dorset Award. The Bridport Prize is such a prestigious competition and to be selected is a real privilege. Many thanks to the judges."

Winners were presented with their prizes at a prizegiving event at Bridport Arts Centre on Saturday October 20.

Judging the prize this year was Daljit Nagra for the poetry category, Monica Ali for the short story and flash fiction categories, and Kamila Shamsie who was judging the Peggy Chapman-Andrews Award for a First Novel.

The full list of winners are currently available online.

Entries for the 2019 competition will open on Thursday, November 15.

For more information about the competition, you can visit bridportprize.org.uk