Scramble for Scrabble success

Youngsters enjoyed a war of words at a school in Shropshire when it hosted the annual UK Youth Scrabble championship – with plenty of double and triple word scores.

The two-day competition was held at Idsall School, in Coppice Green Lane, Shifnal on Thursday and yesterday, and was open to anyone aged under 18 years.

School librarian Paula Davenport, who is the UK Youth Scrabble officer, said it had been an honour to arrange the national competition, which attracted entrants from as far afield as London.

But there was also local support for the competition, with youngsters from Priorslee joining in with the event as well.

The competition was open to people of all levels, from complete beginners up to experts.

And in preparation for the event, Scrabble expert Allan Simmons visited Idsall School this week to pass on some hints and tips to interested youngsters.

In total, the event attracted eight entrants, who put their word knowledge to the test as they tried to come up with as many words as possible to out-score their opponents.

Ms Davenport, from Shifnal, said: "I was nervous about the event because last week we didn't have very many entrants.

"But I'm delighted that we had more people sign up, and some from Telford as well." The winner will have the chance to be a non-official entrant in the World Youth Scrabble Championships, due to be held in Birmingham in December.