THE Granddaughter of an heroic Polish Jew, who survived living in an underground bunker to escape the Nazis, has won a national competition after writing her grandmother's life story.

Sophie Davis, 15, from Great Kingshill, won the Readers Digest Family History Competition for her piece chronicling her grandmother, Rachela Kownerowna's experiences during the Second World War.

Mrs Kownerowna, who now lives in Cricklewood, London, suffered the loss of her entire family at the hands of the Nazis when they invaded her Polish town of Vilna in 1941.

Sophie wrote of the deprivation suffered by her grandmother who took refuge under a shed for a year.

"I initially wrote the essay for school but my grandmother thought it was very good and said I should send it to some magazines," said Sophie.

"It amazes me when I think my Grandmother was only my age when she went through this horror. She even saved others from certain death at the hands of the Germans at one time. I am very proud of her"

Sophie's mother Janet said: "Although I am delighted for Sophie who did a wonderful job it is sad that it was my mother's trauma that has led to this.

"The best years of her life were taken away and one cannot imagine the horrors she was put through."

Susannah Hickling, Readers Digest, said: "We were very impressed with this incredibly moving and beautifully written piece - a miraculous life story."