THE county’s library service is searching for the county’s first young poet laureate.

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

Their winning 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, which has the theme of 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.”

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

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