The Giants are Coming is a storytelling project that invites people from across the county to create their own giant-themed stories and poems. The project is inspired by Sparks will Fly… in Essex, a cultural celebration of the Olympics from May–July 2012.

To get involved, you can submit your stories online via the new website, email them to stories@giantsarecoming.co.uk or pick up a story sheet from your local library and post it to us. Supporting illustrations are also welcome as part of a submission.

Each submission will need to consider Sparks will Fly in 2012 and the idea that two larger-than-life champions are due to arrive in Essex in May 2012, for something special. Experts in their fields, they’ve never met or competed against each other before, and this will be the first time they’ve been to Essex. Why would they choose to come here? What will happen when they meet? And what do you think the people of Essex will make of these enormous visitors?

The project will also see storytelling events taking place in libraries throughout the county, with celebrated storytellers including theatre director and musician Mike Dodsworth holding storytelling sessions.

County Councillor Jeremy Lucas, Cabinet Member for Environment and Culture, said: “The Giants are Coming is an exciting project that will allow writers, storytellers and residents of all ages to pick up a pen and let their imaginations run wild.

“The submissions we receive will help influence the champions who will appear in Essex as part of next year’s Sparks will Fly celebrations, so this really is an opportunity for you to put your stamp on the 2012 Olympic celebrations.”

Mike Dodsworth, storyteller, said: "What a great opportunity to unleash those giants from our imagination and to celebrate in story form all the giants in our lives - the champions that inspire us on to greater things.

“I'm really looking forward to hearing your stories and encouraging as many of you as possible to become storytelling Olympians, helping to shape an original piece of community narrative art."

To get involved and write your own giant-themed story, visit www.giantsarecoming.co.uk.