Students from west Dorset are being invited to apply for a bursary award worth £9,000.

Applicants are now being invited to apply for Bridport Literary Festival’s second bursary award, which is worth £3,000 a year for three years, and will be awarded to two local students.

The bursaries are for a three-year undergraduate degree course in any subject and the deadline to apply is August 22.

Applicants for this year’s bursary should be intending to start university in autumn 2024 and be from the Beaminster-Colfox joint sixth-form, or go to other schools but live within Dorset Council’s Bridport ward.

Last year’s winners were Medwin Stephen from Bridport and Jessica St Barbe Baker, from Mosterton.

Jessica, who was a student at the Beaminster and Sir John Colfox Joint Sixth Form, is now at Yeovil University Centre doing a foundation course in Childhood Studies, followed by a Bachelor of Arts degree and Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

She said: "I can't believe I’m already halfway through my first year. It’s gone so quickly. I am very much enjoying my course, and this last week, I have been helping my primary school placement with the year 6 Mock SAT assessments.

"So far, I have used the bursary to upgrade my laptop, as my old one wouldn't have coped, and I have purchased a few second-hand textbooks. I use the money weekly to cover my transport costs to the university, my placement, and parking.

"Also, I needed a new pair of glasses - the bursary was very helpful for this unplanned expense, which reduced my stress at a time when I had deadlines approaching."

Medwin, who was at Colyton Grammar School, is now at Selwyn College, Cambridge, reading Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology.

He is also enjoying his studies and is using his bursary money to help pay rent and other maintenance expenses, such as books and general living necessities.

He added; "It is a useful assistance while I'm here as it lightens the amount my family need to pay directly per term, since it's not feasible for me to have a job whilst living in Cambridge.

"The remainder of it has been put into a separate savings account so, when the time comes, I can put it forward to help pay off my tuition loan too. 

"I am very grateful for the bursary and the extra help it provides."

Bridport Literary Festival, also known as BridLit, is now in its 20th year and will take place across various venues in the town from November 3 until November 9.

Trustees established the bursary award scheme in 2023. Initially it was for £1,000 a year but a local couple added to this amount from a private trust fund to make it up to £3,000 a year.

To be considered for one of the two bursaries, students should complete the application form on the Bridport Literary Festival website at bridlit.com/bursaries