A THEATRE company from Devon has launched a new playwriting competition.

South-Devon based company Theatre Hub has announced the launch of its first playwriting competition, and it is only open to writers from the south west.

The three best plays will then be placed on a shortlist before they are produced, directed and performed by the Theatre Hub.

Following the performances, the audience will pick the winners before the winner will pick up a £200 prize and a special consultation with a publishing company.

Artistic director Jane Windsor-Smith said: "There are very many writing competitions out there and many of them lay down very specific criteria with regard to subject and region. Our competition, whilst being for South-West region writers only, has no such guidelines.

“All we ask is that it has minimum set requirements, no more than four characters and runs for no more than 30 to 45 minutes. We want writers to pitch in and have fun.”

The venue for the presentation of the shortlisted plays has yet to be decided but the judging panel, which will be announced in due course, will consist of producers, writers, directors and actors who know their trade and want to see new stories being told in regional theatres all over the South West: .

Full details of how to enter can be found on the Theatre Hub website – www.theatrehub.uk.