AN aspiring writer has been awarded Knutsford Town Council's Millennium bursary.

Sarah Healey, who is studying English Literature with Creative Writing at the University of Leeds, said the £560 bursary will be used to supplement her studies by buying more books, attending literary festivals and venture to research facilities.

Sarah, who attended Knutsford Academy, is in her second year of the programme and is interested in feminist narratives, narratives outside the western world and renaissance.

She said: "In the hope that I secure a placement for next year, the bursary will help minimise the stress of finding accommodation and alleviate travel expenses.

"Given the current situation, the bursary will be of huge benefit to my studies and will allow me to attend more prestigious literary festivals which I have yet to experience."

The annual Millennium Bursary is awarded in partnership with the Knutsford Lions and supports a Knutsford student from in their second year of university with the aim of supporting their final year project/dissertation.

Knutsford Lions made two supplementary bursaries of £125 each to University of Cambridge student Bree Livesey who is studying Geography and English Literature Student Helena Searle, who is also studying at the University of Leeds.

Michael Goldman, of Knutsford Lions, said: "It was a pleasure to talk to these enthusiastic undergraduates, each with a love of their own field of study and coping with the hard impact of the pandemic on their time at uni.

"Reaching our final decisions was difficult with such good applicants.

"The Lions have been participating in the Millennium Bursary awards since the outset and we are always pleased to make additional awards when good candidates apply."

Town Mayor, Cllr Stewart Gardiner said: "I was very impressed with the four candidates; each of whom presented their respective qualities very well.

"While I enjoyed talking to these young woman and finding out about them, it was a very difficult task to identify one overall winner.

"Whilst congratulating Sarah, I would also like to thank each applicant for applying and take this opportunity to wish them all the very best in their future studies and trust that they will each realise their potential in whatever careers they choose to follow thereafter."

Students currently in their first year of university should look out for the 2021 Millennium Bursary when it opens for applications in the autumn.