An annual award aimed at up-and-coming equine writers and journalists is now open for entries.

The Martin Wills Memorial Trust Awards are now in their 17th year and looking for the next generation of talented writers.

Previous winners include The Independent’s Chris McGrath, Donn McClean, of The Sunday Times, and the BBC’s Theodora Fairley.

Prizes are awarded for creative writing, either fact or fiction, on any aspect of horseracing.

Particular importance will be attached to originality, enthusiasm and use of language but a detailed knowledge of horseracing is not necessary.

There are three prize categories – under-15s, under-19s and under-26s – with cash totalling £3,125 for winners and runners-up, work experience and the chance to see work in the Racing Post and Irish Field up grabs.

The competition is open to anyone resident in the UK or Republic of Ireland but employees of the national and racing press along with previous winners in their category are ineligible to enter.

The six-strong judging panel includes Racing Post editorial director Brough Scott, Daily Telegraph writer and former Grand National winner Marcus Armytage and former Tory leader Michael Howard.

The awards will be at the Craven Meeting, in Newmarket, on 15 April when all six prize winners will be given an expenses paid day’s racing, a private lunch and a tour of two leading stables.

The Martin Wills Memorial Trust commemorates Martin Wills, an amateur jockey, racing enthusiast and journalist who died in 1992, aged 39.