Win a holiday to the Scilly Isles to see the total eclipse of the sun

INDEPENDENT EYEWITNESS COMPETITION

The Independent on Sunday and the RAC have got together to offer you the chance to be among the first to see the total solar eclipse on a superb holiday for two in the beautiful Isles of Scilly, and the opportunity to have an article published in the Independent on Sunday Travel section.

The winner and a companion will travel by train and helicopter to the Isles of Scilly where they will enjoy seven nights' half-board in a twin room at Tresco's three-star Island Hotel, winner of the RAC Blue Ribbon award. Here they will be among the very first to eye-witness the total solar eclipse on 11 August 1999. The winner will also receive pounds 250 in spending money and will have their article published in the Independent on Sunday. Five runners-up will each receive a selection of RAC travel and guide books worth more than pounds 25, including RAC Inspected Hotels of Great Britain and Ireland, RAC Road Atlas Britain and Europe for the Independent Traveller.

HOW TO ENTER

In tune with RAC's commitment to personal mobility, and in the true spirit of this newspaper, we have called the competition "Independent Eyewitness". To enter, write an article of no more than 500 words about a spectacular natural or cultural phenomenon which you have witnessed. The deadline for entries is midnight on 1 October 1998. Send your entry to RAC/Independent on Sunday "Independent Eyewitness" competition, RAC Motoring Services, PO Box 700, Bristol BS99 1RB. Please include your name address and daytime telephone number.

The competition will be judged by the Travel Editor of the Independent on Sunday, Jeremy Atiyah, and RAC Marketing Manager for Travel and Hotels, Richard Day. Names of the winner and five runners-up will be published in the Independent on Sunday on 6 December and will also be available from RAC Motoring Services, at the above address, from that date.

With hotels booking up fast for next August's big event, RAC is advising travellers who want to see the eclipse to make sure they arrange accommodation early. To make your booking, call RAC Hotel Reservations special number now (tel: 0870 603 9109).