HE may be only four-years-old, but Rowan Gartell is already an award winning published author.

The talented schoolboy won a national children's writing competition — after his story was chosen by renowned children's author Michael Rosen.

The former Children's Laureate teamed up with the Wacky Warehouse to find aspiring authors aged four to 10.

He picked Rowan's story, My Fish Friends about an underwater adventure about a goldfish and friendly shark, for its "originality and creativity" as one of the shortlists before it went to a public vote.

The story will be published in the official Wacky Warehouse storybook which will available in all 81 play centres and as well as printed out to be displayed in the Red Lion.

And as well as winning a Wacky Gold Card which give entry into the play centre — Mr Rosen, the author of We're Going on a Bear Hunt, has used his flamboyant storytelling skills to bring the winning tale to life.

Rowan, who attends St Peter's CE Primary School in Farnworth, said: "It felt good to win. I am now working on my next story which will about dinosaurs."

Mum Vicky Gartell, who lives with her husband Rob and three children in Highfield, Farnworth, said: "We were at the Red Lion and waiting for our food.

"We saw the competition and Rowan came up with the story. He likes Spongebob and that's why the story is set underwater.

"I wrote it down for him and never thought anything more of it.

"Then I received a phone call saying that Rowan had won — he is competitive and likes to win."

Mrs Gartell, a nurse, who also has two daughters, added: "He has got a brilliant imagination, he is very creative.

"He is always telling stories and tells them really well, I think he gets his creativity from his dad."

Christian Griffiths, general manager of the Red Lion, said: “Rowan’s story is fantastic and shows real imagination — it’s no surprise his story was singled out by Michael Rosen, and then voted a winner by the public.

“We hope he enjoys his well-deserved prizes.”