A PUPIL at Cheriton Fitzpaine Primary School reached the finals in the "BBC Radio 2" 500 Words story-writing competition 2018, in the category for five to nine-year-olds.

Aidan Hall (7) a Year 2 pupil wrote a story which was in the top 50 stories out of about 135,000 entries!

Aiden was invited to attend the final which was held at Hampton Court Palace, on Friday, June 8, during the live broadcast of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show.

His family, mum Becky, dad Al and big sister Neve, travelled with him.

They were seated in Row B, just behind all the celebrities for the extravaganza of live music and sensational story-telling, with the six winning wordsmiths announced on-air by celebrity narrators including David Walliams and Dara O’Briain.

There was music from John Newman, Alexandra Burke and Bastille.

The 500 Words’ panel of judges - Charlie Higson, Francesca Simon, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Malorie Blackman and Honorary Judge, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall (patron of the competition) - were also present at this extra special edition of The Chris Evans Breakfast Show.

It was an amazing experience for Aiden and his family to be at a live broadcast and there was a fabulous atmosphere.

There was also a "meet and greet" with all the celebrities for the 50 finalists and everyone posed for pictures and signed their autographs - and shook hands with HRH Duchess of Cornwall.

Aiden also met David Walliams, Jim Broadbent, Chris Evans, Jason Isaacs, Amanda Abbington, Shobna Gulati, Dara O’Briain, Alexandra Burke and author Malorie Blackman. His favourite bit was meeting lead singer of Bastille, Dan Smith.

The family then spent the day at the Palace and the rest of the weekend enjoying the sights of London.

Aiden’s story is called "Sam and Oren’s Great Adventure" - all about a little boy based on his cousin, Sam, and Oren, Aidan’s own tooth fairy.

The story is both in words and also read beautifully by actor, Ryan Whittles.

Two other children from Cheriton Fitzpaine Primary School got through to the top 5,000 this year, and two children got through to the top 5,000 in 2017, so story-writing is a big thing at the school!