AN old photograph of Australian visitors to Stourport taken in the 1950s has proved inspirational for writers from across Worcestershire.

The picture showed a group of people, including the Australians, outside a menswear shop in Lombard Street and was used as the subject of a short story competition run throughout Worcestershire's 22 libraries.

The Australian visitors were going around the world in an old taxi and stopped off to visit the penfriend of a neighbour back home, who was the wife of the owner of the shop. Her son was Stanley Barten who later went on to run the shop. He also appeared in the photograph, as a little boy, along with his mother and the visitors.

The picture seemed excellent material to fire the imagination as no less than 30 writers, who did not know the true subject matter of the photo, submitted stories for the contest, which was judged by Stourport Writers' Group.

Jenny Lythall, Stourport Library librarian, said: "There was an unbelievable variety of stories and the quality of all of them was so good the library service is hoping to publish them."

Mrs Lythall added Stourport Writers' Group was looking for new members and anyone interested could contact the library on 01299 822866.