A Towy Valley schoolgirl who won a UK-wide creative competition has visited a book festival as part of her prize.

Alice Sargent, from Llanwrda, was named the winner of the Young Walter Scott Prize in the 16-19 age group with her story of Welsh settlers in Patagonia after delighting judges with her writing skills in March this year.

The Young Walter Scott Prize, which launched in 2015, competition for 11-19 year olds, which challenges young people to write a piece of short fiction set in a time before they were born - a time recognisably different from the present.

As part of the prize, winners receive a £500 travel grant, a published book of their work, and a two-day trip to the Borders Book Festival in Melrose, Scotland.

During her visit across the border, Alice attended events with Sebastian Barry, the winner of the Walter Scott Prize, and was presented her prize by Tan Twan Eng, past winner of the Walter Scott Prize.

Alice, who is no stranger to winning prizes having recently won the Wilbur Smith Author of Tomorrow award with another story, won the older age group prize with The Greatest Gift.

Set in the mid-19th century in Patagonia, her story explores the relationship between indigenous Native Americans, the Tehuelche, and white incomers, Welsh settlers determined to establish their own ‘little Wales beyond Wales’.

The 16-year-old said:”Having recently moved to Wales, the inspiration for my story grew from hearing and seeing the ancient traditions that are intertwined throughout the Welsh culture.

“I knew so little about the Welsh colony in Patagonia that I decided to research further into it, only to realise that there was a very interesting story waiting to be told from the perspective of the Native American tribes, who were involved with the first pioneering group of settlers.”

The Judges said that Alice’s story was an extraordinary one and her knowledge of the history and landscapes of the Patagonian area selected by the Welsh settlers as their new home provided a rich backdrop.

The next Young Walter Scott Prize is now open for entries. Budding young historical novelists aged between 11 and 19 have until 31st October 2017 to enter the creative writing competition, with a chance to win a £500 travel grant and a VIP invitation to one of the UK’s best book festivals in 2018.

Visit walterscottprize.co.uk/young-walter-scott-prize/ for more information.