THE search is on to find a talented young poet to become Herefordshire’s first young Poet Laureate.

The winner will get the chance to perform at the prestigious Ledbury Poetry Festival.

Their poem will also be made into a postcard which will be sent to schools and libraries in the county to celebrate National Poetry Day in October this year which has the theme Heroes and Heroines.

Anne-Marie Dossett, Herefordshire Council’s reader development librarian, said: “The county’s library service is a member of Poetry on Loan and, as part of that, seeks to increase access to contemporary poetry and encourage more people to read it and also write their own.

“Our libraries have plenty of books by good poets which can provide inspiration for our budding young poets.”

Entrants have to write four poems, one of which must be on the theme of Heroes and Heroines, and must live in or attend a school or college in Herefordshire.

Entries must be received by May 29, 2009 and the shortlisted poets must be willing to perform their poems for an audience at The Courtyard in Hereford on Thursday, June 18 between 5.45pm and 7pm.

To enter, just email four poems to amdossett@herefordshire.gov.uk or post them to Young Poet Laureate Competition, Libraries Unit, Shirehall, Hereford, HR1 2HX, with full contact details.