It took us a while to read through all the inspiring stories of love and romance, but unfortunately there does have to be only one winner. Read through all the shortlisted stories by clicking on the title below.

Get a copy of this month's magazine to find chief judge Lorraine Mace's comments about the winning story along with the second and third place entries. The winner received a £200 cash prize along with a copy of ‘The Writer’s ABC Checklist’ by Lorraine Mace and Maureen Vincent-Northam and a year’s subscription to The Yorkshire Ridings Magazine. The second and third place entrants won a copy of the book and a subscription.

We’d like to take the opportunity to thank all our readers who put pen to paper and entered our competition.

Winners:

1st place: Top of the world by Stephanie Cage

2nd place: Champagne or Sheep by Mandy Huggins

3rd place: Don't go breaking my heart by Martin Goodson