THE winners have been announced of a short story competition that has raised nearly £300 for under-threat “lifeline” service Dial-a-Ride (DAR).

Writers from throughout the UK submitted a range of stories and three of the top ten entries were from Kidderminster.

The winner from Scarborough has received a laptop, the runner-up from Cheltenham a portrait voucher and the third-placed entry from Maidstone a £25 book token.

Kidderminster writer, Susan Wood, organised the competition when she heard of DARs impending budget cut, deciding to do something to try and boost the service.

She explained that the competition had the appropriate title, The Last Bus Home, which had inspired a wide selection of themes, some incorporating the theme of DAR.

She said: “I am really pleased. We had 52 entries in total which was really good. There were some stories that were very moving and took the last bus home theme literally.

”There were also romances, ghost stories and a story set in the Second World War. The standard was high.”

Mrs Wood, 48, of Parkland Avenue, added: “It takes a lot of commitment to write a story and to edit it and get everything right.

“Every one has done a really good job and hopefully it will benefit DAR.

“The service they provide the community is vital - a lifeline. It’s not just about what they do but also their kindness and dedication and their total dedication to keeping the service running.”

The competition was shortlisted by Mrs Wood and her friend, writer, Jayne Hall, and the final placings were made by Sue Johnson, whose short stories appear in women’s magazines.

Ms Johnson is also a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and recently completed her third novel.