A SOUTHAMPTON schoolboy is on course for a career as a top authot.

Seven-year-old Jamie Hobson has been named a regional finalist in the Explore Learning Writers’ Awards.

Jamie’s story, called Ninja Penguins Save the Sea was a tale based on this year’s theme of “a chance to change the world”.

The Sholing Junior School pupil was crowed the regional finalist for Hampshire.

The competition, which has been running for the past three months, invited children from across the UK to write a 500-word story.

The competition organised by tuition provider, Explore Learning is now in its eleventh year and this year’s judge was children’s author, TV presenter and singer, Alesha Dixon.

Alesha has written two popular children’s books Lightning Girl, and Lightning Girl 2: Superhero Squad, about an 11-year-old girl who discovers her superhero powers.  

She said: “I was thrilled by the quality of writing in the entries for the Explore Learning Writers’ Award.

“It is so encouraging to see the promise of the talented young writers of tomorrow.”

The the national winner will be crowned on the June 20 with a surprise visit from Alesha Dixon to their school.

Explore Learning is an award-winning English and maths tuition company with 145 centres located all over the country.

More than 35,000 children aged four to 14-years-old attend their centres each week and over the course of the last 18 years have helped over 250,000 children.

Explore Learning’s aim is to help every child reach their full potential and get the best results they can, developing a generation of fearless learners.

Charlotte Gater, head of curriculum at Explore Learning said: “So many children demonstrated great imagination and intellect with their incredible stories about how they would change the world.

“We’re really proud of the calibre of entries and want to congratulate everyone who took part.”