IS OUR environment important to you? Do you believe that the media can make a difference to climate change? Well here is your chance to get your voice heard and make a difference.

EcoStar is a new competition created by the University of Winchester – the university for sustainability and social justice – and the Hampshire Chronicle to identify the next generation of environmental journalists. Inspired by Greta Thunberg’s declaration that “you are never too small to make a difference”, we are looking for stories of local people or places that are making a positive change.

It could be someone who regularly litter picks in your local park, a neighbour who looks after injured hedgehogs or waste ground that has been transformed into a haven for plants and animals.

Once you’ve found your local EcoStar you just need to write an article of 500 words telling us why you think that place or person is special.

The winner will receive £100 in book vouchers and have their article published in the Hampshire Chronicle. Three runners up will have their articles published on the Winchester Journalism website (WINOL) and receive £20 each in book vouchers.

The competition is open to 16 to 18-year-olds in Hampshire and the deadline for entries is midday on November 15.

For all the details about how to apply visit: winol.co.uk