Schools wartime essay contest

Tom Hanks (left) in the war film Saving Private Ryan

Film star Tom Hanks is to be a judge in an essay competition evoking the memory of the wartime alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom.

The star of the World War Two drama, Saving Private Ryan, is to be one of a panel of judges for an essay competition on the theme of the "special relationship" between the two countries.

Other celebrity judges include US Senator Bob Dole and broadcaster Sir David Frost, who will assess essays competing for a top prize of a trip to the United States and a tour of the White House.

The essay competition, launched by the Education Secretary David Blunkett, is intended to encourage a greater understanding of the historical links between the two countries - particularly their wartime alliance.

"I'm sure pupils who enter will find the subject fascinating. In addition to the interest this competition will generate it has broad links with our literacy strategy which can only be beneficial if we succeed in raising pupils' historical awareness," said Mr Blunkett.

Essays are to be on three themes - the impact of the wartime alliance on Anglo-American relations; personal experiences of the wartime alliance and the impact of the wartime alliance on the rest of the world.

The competition, which closes on 21 July, is open to 14 to 16 year olds and entries, up to a 1,000 words, can be submitted through the Department for Education's website.