Wolverhampton boy's story in BBC Radio final
A young boy from Wolverhampton has made it to the final of a BBC story competition with his tale of a zoo after hours.
Alex Hill, aged 11-years-old from Finchfield, is in the top 50 stories for BBC Radio 2's 500 Words writing competition.
The Uplands Junior School pupil's story, Mischief and Mayhem at the Menacing Zoo, has been read by Roger Ringrose from the BBC Radio Drama Company.
The school entered a number of stories into the national competition and Alex's is one of 134,709 children to write in to the competition.
He said: "The story is about when the zoo is closed and what the animals do when no one is there.
"I've always loved going to the zoo and always wonder what they do whe everyone has left.
"I was quite surprised and shocked, I didn't think it would make it so far in the competition and I am really happy."
Alex's story is in the 10 to 13-year-old age category.
The judging panel included honorary judge the Duchess of Cornwall, chair of the judging panel Chris Evans and award-winning authors Malorie Blackman, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Charlie Higson and Francesca Simon in a virtual judging session.
In all, 56 children from around the UK made it through to the final stage.
The six winners will be announced on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show on June 12 and their stories read out on-air.
Lisa Hill, 49, Alex's mum, added: "We are really proud of him whatever happens and the fact he has made it to the final is such an amazing achievement."
