Silentnight Bed's Book at Bedtime competition is for young authors aged 7-12 years and gives children the chance to have their very own story published and illustrated. All young hopefuls have to do is write their very own bedtime story starring Silentnight characters, Hippo and Duck.

The top ten stories will be judged by an award winning children's (previous judges have included author Jeremy Strong and Kaye Umansky), who will then read the stories aloud and upload them to the Silentnight website for the nation to listen to, and judge their favourite.

The competition aims to re-ignite children's interest in bedtime stories as new research commissioned by Silentnight Beds has recently revealed that a shocking 64% of parents are too embarrassed to read to their own children and the bedtime story is a trend that is fast disappearing.

In addition to having their book published, the lucky winner will win a Silentnight bed and be treated to a night for the family in the Silentnight Pyjama suite at Alton Towers and tickets to the Alton Towers theme park.