PUPILS at Devizes School honoured the memory of author Jane Austen when they took part in an essay writing contest to mark the 200th anniversary of her death.

The Trust for Devizes supported a contest to find the best essay from pupils in Year 8 written on the subject: What would Jane Austen think about Devizes if she came here today?

Miss Austen is known to have visited Devizes on a number of occasions when she lived in Bath and stopped off at The Bear hotel en-route.

Philippa Morgan from the trust visited the school to judge the essays and then returned on Friday to hand out prizes. She said: "The Trust for Devizes is delighted to have been involved with Devizes School this year.

"I didn't know what to expect as this is the first time the essay competition has been run. I was absolutely delighted with the quality of the six short-listed essays.

"The authors demonstrated an understanding of the essay title and did a brilliant job of translating it into Devizes as we know it in 2017. I was invited to attend the end of year assembly and was amazed at the commitment of the whole school - staff and pupils - to education and learning.

"We will be publishing the three winning essays in our quarterly newsletter Trust News. I am confident that this will become an annual event."

Cash prizes of £50, £30 and £20 went to the writers of the top three essays. Sam Otway took first prize followed by Makena Walker and Jade Walker. Commended were Ben Shears, Samir Hossain and Georgia Phillips.