A Skipton pupil is in the running for a national writing award.

Sixteen-year-old Heather Booton has been longlisted for Amnesty International’s Young Human Rights Reporter of the Year award.

The Skipton Girls’ High School student will now have her work judged by a panel of editors, authors and industry professionals.

More than 3,000 young people from all four corners of the United Kingdom took part in the competition, which is being run by Amnesty International UK, the Guardian and the secondary school magazine SecEd. Only ten entries from each of the four age categories have been selected to go to the judging panel.

Heather, who wrote about abortion in Kenya, said: “I am thrilled to be long listed. It’s been a great experience as I hope to pursue a career in journalism in the future.”

Roz Booton, Heather’s mother, said: “I am delighted that Heather has made the long list. She has always, since a young age, had a keen interest in current affairs and human rights. I hope that this competition will lead her to becoming more involved with Amnesty International.”

Gill Fisher, Head of English at Skipton Girls’ High School, said: “It is fantastic that Heather has had her work recognised in this way.”