Spelling Bee entries now being taken

The competition, which is designed to encourage child literacy and emphasises the fun in spelling, is open to all P7 primary school children across Northern Ireland.

This year it is offering an overall prize fund of books worth £17,000. Schools can register to take part in the 2013 Ulster Eason Spelling Bee at www.easons.com/spellingbee and closing date for entries is Friday, January 11, 2013.

Following the successful format of last year’s competition, schools in each county will compete against each other in ‘County Bees’ to decide the county winner.

These winners will then take part in the Ulster provincial final and the four provincial winners from across Ireland will spell it out at the All-Ireland final next June.