MUMBAI: BBC World Service and the British Council have launched their tenth annual International Radio Playwriting Competition.

Writers who are new to radio globally are invited to submit an original 60-minute radio play on a subject of their choice. The competition, which has no age limit, is open to anyone living outside the UK and closes on Monday 30 April 2007.

This year author and novelist Doris Lessing is among the judges. BBC World Service Drama executive producer Marion Nancarrow said, "Last year nearly 1,000 budding writers from 80 countries entered the competition and we're hoping that even more writers from even more countries will enter this year.

"This competition is one of the most exciting events at World Service Drama, as it provides us with an opportunity to connect with our audience and draws on a vast, untapped resource of writing talent from around the world.

"The best thing is that it's open to everyone. We receive entries from experienced novelists and writers from theatre, film and television as well as plays from writers with no experience at all who are submitting their first script. Previous winners have gone on to gain further commissions for World Service Drama, so this could be the next step to a very successful career."

The International Radio Playwriting Competition has two first prizes. One awards the best play by a writer with English as their first language, and the second for the best play by a writer with English as their second language.

They each receive £2,500 and a trip to London to see their play being recorded for broadcast on World Service in the World Drama slot. An additional six prizes of a digital or shortwave radio will be awarded to the best plays submitted from South Asia, Asia, Africa, Middle East; America, Europe, Russia and the Caucasus.

Further information on the International Radio Playwriting Competition and essential tips from established radio dramatists Mike Walker and Marcy Kahan can be found online at bbcworldservice.com/competitions, where writers can also download an entry form.

An entry form can also be obtained by sending a request by email to intradioplaycomp@bbc.co.uk or one can be collected from their local British Council office.