Two young authors from Ilford have been shortlisted for the Young Muslim Writers Awards 2017.

A total of 45 shortlisted entries have been assessed and scored by a diverse panel of judges and the winners will be announced and awarded at the ceremony.

Among the nominees are Ilford residents Umayr Khan , 6, who attends Downshall Primary in the key stage one poetry category and Faria Cheepa, 13, of Ursuline Academy, in the key stage three journalism category.

The wordsmiths will find out if they are taking home a writers’ prize at an award ceremony on December 9.

Award-winning author Patrice Lawrence, who wrote Orangeboy and Indigo Donut will be amongst those presenting trophies to the winners.

Other judges included Tim Robertson, the director of The Royal Society of Literature, and award-winning author and comic writer G Willow Wilson.

Chairman of Muslim Hands, Syed Lakhte Hassanain, said: “This year’s entries are once again remarkable!

“Young people of all ages from different corners of the country have taken part in the competition.

“The pieces written for the competition have been truly inspiring. It is amazing to see young people write so skilfully and with such creativity.

“As the work of young people continuously improves in its quality, it becomes more challenging for our judges to select the best pieces of work.

“Young people and children are incredibly talented individuals and we must support them in their development of learning, as it will help them achieve more and also thrive.

“At Muslim Hands, this is what we are motivated by – in both our international development work and in our UK community projects.”

The ceremony is presented in association with Yusuf Islam Foundation and will be broadcast on Islam Channel.