IN mid-February the organisers of Bishop's Castle Arts Festival are holding a poetry competition called Provocations.

Competitors are invited to submit unpublished poems that relate to a favourite painting or sculpture together with a reproduction of the chosen work of art.

The first prize is £100, second prize £75 and third prize £50 and organisers intend the winning poems to be published.

The judges are local poets Chris Kinsey and Paul Francis, and entry is £3 for the first poem and £2 for any subsequent poems. Cheques should be made payable to Bishop's Castle Tourism CIC.

Prizes will be awarded and exhibits displayed at a banquet on February 18 at the Castle Hotel.

Entries must be submitted by January 31 to Bryan Podmore, Bryncyn Cottage, Church Stoke, Montgomery, SY15 6EN.

To find out more about the competition look on the website at info@bishopscastleartsfestival.co.uk