A GROUP of Lochgelly High youngsters have helped launch a charity sci-fi contest.

The pupils were on hand to help blast off the 'Out of this World' competition which has been organised by Sense Scotland and Luna Press Publishing.

The ‘Sci-Fi Flash Fiction Contest’ invites children from P1 to S6 to let their imaginations run wild and pen a flash sci-fi adventure.

The winners will be announced at Sense Scotland's annual Festival of Fun which is taking place at Lochore Country Meadows Park on July 27.

The charity's Head of Operations for the area, Bill Wood, said the fully inclusive family event will offer a range of enjoyable activities.

"Storytelling, particularly dramatic storytelling, is a fantastic medium that is very popular with children and adults with learning needs and can offer a great opportunity to motivate and develop communication and interaction skills," he said.

“We’re very excited to see what pupils can produce during the Sci-Fi Flash Fiction Contest, so please encourage them to get writing. And don’t forget to put the 27th in your diary – it’s a great day out for everyone.”

Francesca T Barbini, from Luna, said entries will be read out during the festival.

She added: “Whether it’s alien invasions, dystopian worlds, or full-blown Armageddon, we’re hoping young writers will get their thinking caps on and get creative to write a flash short story."

Entries for the competition need to be in by noon on June 28 and full guidelines for what to submit can be found at https://www.lunapresspublishing.com/luna-charities.