An 11-year-old leukaemia sufferer from Worcester Park has followed in the footsteps of author Ernest Hemingway, after winning a writing competition with a six word story about how she has coped with the disease.

Annalise Cabrera beat more than 400 competitors with her story “Leukaemia sucks, head shaved, feeling fabulous”, which she wrote after shaving her head in defiance of the hair loss she was experiencing as part of her treatment.

The Sutton Council competition was inspired by a $10 bet Hemingway made in the 1920s that he could write a complete story in six words.

His offering of “For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn” ensured he won the cash.

Miss Cabrera said: “I’m really pleased I won, but not very surprised.

“I was really confident from the beginning and knew exactly what I wanted to write. It just came to me.

“At the time my hair was falling out and I was feeling really frustrated and decided it would be better just to shave it all off and that’s what I wrote about.

“At first it’s really scary having leukaemia, but then you just get on with it.

“My friend’s mum had cancer recently and she gave me help and understanding about what I’d be going through.”

The competition, which was funded by the Arts Council England, was part of the council’s Imagine Arts Festival and saw workshops held in schools, youth centres and libraries.

• What do you think? Let us know by email here, phone the newsdesk on 020 8330 9555 or leave a comment below.