THESE beaming youngsters at a York primary school have a good reason to be smiling.

The children, who all go to Haxby Road Primary Academy in the city, have won a national young writers award for using their imagination to create original riddles.

As well as a magnificent glass trophy to display in the school, their collective efforts won their school a book bundle worth £250 as a reward.

Their work has also been published in a book, “My First Riddle 20201 – Little Laureates”.

Caroline Wilkinson, early years foundation stage lead at Haxby Road, said it was a fantastic achievement and one of which the pupils, parents and staff are all rightly proud.

She said: “We are so proud of the children, who were in reception when they took part in the competition.

“There were some really imaginative entries and we are all thrilled to come out on top in a national award scheme.”

Here’s five-year-old Cole’s riddle: It looks bumpy and green with red eyes, it has really loud roars, it smells stinky – like a smelly sock, it feels bumpy and it tastes smelly – what is it?

Answer: It’s an alien.

Gail Brown, is the chief executive of Ebor Academy Trust, which runs the York school.

She said: “Congratulations to the early years team at Haxby Road.

“We encourage creativity at all our schools and it’s lovely to see it being successfully nurtured in children so young.”

There are 24 schools in Ebor Academy Trust, including seven in the city – Haxby Road, Robert Wilkinson, Park Grove, Lakeside, Osbaldwick, Hob Moor Primary and Hob Moor Oaks.

It also has other schools in Selby, the East Riding and on the Yorkshire coast.