SCHOOLGIRL Julie Campbell’s handwriting is ranked among the best in the United Kingdom.

Only recently, the 11-year-old pupil at Ballinamallard Primary School heard the exciting news that she had won an award in The Parker Prize – The National Schools Handwriting Competition.

On June 13, Julie and the other winners have been invited to an awards ceremony at the National History Museum in London, where they will receive their certificates and prizes of Parker pens from Blue Peter presenter, Simon Thomas.

Overall, there were apparently around 70,000 entries in the competition and news of Julie’s success in her particular category – relayed by a recent letter to her school and home – came as a pleasant surprise.

It was a thrilling development for Julie, a daughter of Walter and Audrey Campbell, who is looking forward to her trip to London for the special presentation.

Julie’s P7 teacher, Hazel Vaughan (pictured with Julie) and her class are delighted following her success in this prestigious event.

Rosemary Sassoon, an internationally recognised handwriting expert and head judge, commented that “handwriting remains an essential skill, and despite the increased use of computers, it plays a crucial role in a child’s basic literacy and overall success in school”.