First Story will be formally launched in Nottingham in the presence of the Duchess of Cornwall.

The charity puts novelists into schools to teach children how to write creatively.

The scheme is already up and running in London and Oxford where it has proved a huge success.

Children are encouraged to use their imagination and write creatively.

The stories can be as short as ten words, enough to fit on a post card which can then be published.

At the end of the academic year the longer stories are published as anthologies.

Supporters include heavyweight authors, journalists and academics, names such as the former politician Chris Patten, who is Chancellor of Oxford University, broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby and author Julian Barnes.

The acclaimed writers, who all live in Notts, include Booker Prize nominated Jon McGregor and Nicola Monaghan.

Since September, they have given weekly workshops in four schools in deprived city areas.

It is a powerful initiative and the Nottingham Post is proud to get behind it. We will publish excerpts in the paper and on-line.

None of this comes free and costs money. The charity reimburses authors their expenses and pays them for their time.

The charity deserves wide support from local communities and businesses.

As First Story's executive director Katie Waldegrave says: "First Story gives a voice to young people whose stories might not otherwise be heard."

Now they will be.