The Bluecoat in association with Yorkshire Bank presents its second monthly Shine competition designed to give hundreds of people across Merseyside and beyond the chance to get creative.

Shine is a monthly changing activity that anyone can do - in the building, at home or even on-line at www.shineatthebluecoat.org.uk. Following April’s challenge to design a special Superlambanana, Shine in May is all about creative writing. 008 Shine gives young people the mission of writing the first page of a spy thriller using Liverpool as the glamorous European backdrop, and '008' as a spy who is at large in the city. Website users can also create a cartoon villain to accompany their 250 word story.

For those aged 11-16 years, there is a monthly competition. Six winners in each category will be able to polish their skills by taking part in a weekend of interactive sessions. This is a rare chance to get hands-on guidance from top professional artists, craftspeople, musicians and authors and develop top skills.

This month Mal Peet, author of Keeper, Tamar and The Penalty gives his top six tips for keeping your writing sharp and interesting to read. Tamar won the Carnegie Medal for Children’s literature and alongside Keeper has been selected to be read across Merseyside in 2008 through this year’s Liverpool Reads project.

The best of the winners of the monthly Shine competitions will be brought together as the best of Young Liverpool in a fabulous showcase event to be held at the Bluecoat towards the end of 2008.

Even if you are not aged 11-16 you can still take part, just send in your creations to the Bluecoat or upload via the website. Each month Shine at the Bluecoat will show a selection of these at www.shineatthebluecoat.org.uk.