A SCHOOLGIRL has won a night at the theatre after topping the bill in an essay competition.

Maddie Lindley, of Cundall Manor School, between Ripon and Thirsk, was voted the winner for her work on evacuees after The Press published an appeal for youngsters in the region to write about the subject.

As well as a certificate, Maddie received tickets to David Wood’s stage adaptation of Goodnight Mister Tom, which begins its run at the Grand Opera House in York tonight.

Joyce Williamson, who was among the competition judges, said the theatre had been “inundated” with entries,  saying: “It was a very difficult decision as they were all so wonderful.”