Budding scribes Jessica and Robert Ebner-Statt have been shortlisted for a national writing competition which has attracted thousands of entries.

The north London siblings have made the finals of the Wicked Young Writers' Award, encouraging children and teenagers to develop their creative writing.

Jessica is one of 20 finalists in the category for the eight-to-10s for a poem, A Parent's Warning. Younger brother Robert, an Akiva pupil, has been shortlisted for a poem, Going to School. Category winners will enjoy workshops with a published writer and meet the cast of the musical, Wicked.

"I couldn't believe I was shortlisted," Jessica said. "I don't think I will win, but I am very proud."