A WORCESTER writer is hoping his poem on flowers will inspire people to contribute to a national charity's scheme to plant 5,000 daffodils in the city.

Seventy-two-year-old Derrick Bright, who has been writing poetry for about eight years, sent in his poem, The Daffodils' Fight, after reading about Marie Curie Cancer Care's Field of Hope appeal in the Evening News.

The scheme involves people giving a sum of money to have two daffodils planted on Worcester Racecourse in memory of a loved one, or someone who is still alive.

"I think it's a marvellous idea," said Mr Bright, of Ryland Close, Fernhill Heath.

"I'm very supportive of the charity and I'm hoping my poem will be an inspiration for people to buy the bulbs."

The appeal was launched last month and, to date, about 50 people have donated.

The daffodils will be planted on the city's Pitchcroft racecourse on Sunday, November 9.

The project is hoped to raise more than £5,000 for nurses' services in Worcestershire and is part of a nationwide scheme to mark the centenary of Marie Curie winning the Nobel Prize for Physics for her research into radium and radioactivity.

The organisers are still looking for a group of volunteers to plant the bulbs.

Anyone wanting to volunteer or contribute to the scheme can call the fund-raising office on 01905 427531, or fill in the coupon on this page and return it to:

n Marie Curie Cancer Care, 4a King Charles Place, St John's, Worcester, WR2 5AJ.