The Westmorland Gazette Website and Word Market online at www.word-market.co.uk have launched their third E Short Story and Poetry competition for 2006.

Theme: Nature any kind of nature human, animal, flora and fauna Key Dates: Launch Word Market South Cumbria Writers' and Readers' Festival, Ulverston Feb 4 - 13, 2005 Ulverston.

Deadline for entries: Noon, Monday, November 28, 2005.

Announcing the winners: Word Market Festival, Ulverston, February 2006.

Prizes: Being published online, your own web site, gift certificates and more Judges: to be announced Guidelines: Length: Short Story 750 words (max), Poem 30 lines (max).

Theme: Piece must include reference to nature human or otherwise.

New material: All submissions must be original pieces by the author that have not been published and have not won any other competition.

Limit: One entry to only one category per person.

Age: All entrants must be over 18 years.

Format: All entries must be submitted in print with the entry form fully completed. All authors should keep a computer version of their material. Do not put your name on the story only on the entry form submitted at the same time. Use plain A4 paper, use a serif font (like Times Roman), 12 point font, single spaced, flush left and put the title on a second page if needed.

Entries should be posted with a completed entry form to: The Web Editor, The Westmorland Gazette, 1 Wainwright's Yard, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4DP or 25 Market Street, Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 7LR.

Contacts: For information and announcements see the web sites.

Kate Whiteside, Web Editor, www.thisisthelakedistrict.co.uk.

kate.whiteside@kendal.newsquest.co.uk.

or Linda Graham, Project Coordinator, Word Market www.word-market.co.uk.

wordmarket@tiscali.co.uk.