THIS year's Ledbury Poetry Festival competition attracted more than 1,000 entries, and for the first time all the adult winners were from the UK.

Festival manager, Phillippa Slinger said: "One of the winners, Robbie Burton, is a frequent visitor to the festival, and it’s lovely to see someone so involved and steeped in the festival develop into one of its prize winning poets".

Judge Nia Davies said: "I feel honoured to have had a special private view of the kind of things people are thinking about through the medium of poetry right now. It was a joy to spend every morning over coffee rummaging through the pile.

"People are deeply concerned about homelessness and the earth, but they’re also funny and kind and loving. They’re missing lost people or they’re in love or they are thinking through their bodies and how their bodies are changing. For some reason several poets felt drawn to write about shaving legs."

She added: "The winners and runners-up were the poems that, as well as taking a sideways glance at a subject, also stretched and invigorated language and the form of the poem itself. And they gave me vivid feelings in the belly, the kind of feelings, even, that make me want to write poems myself."

First prize in the adult category went to the poet, academic and editor, RTA Parker, for his wry and strange poem called "All the Bleak Chippies".

He wins first prize of £1,000 and, along with all the other winners, an invitation to read at next year's festival.

In second place was Pam Thompson of Leicester with "Through the Hologram". She wins £500.

In third place was regular festival visitor Robbie Burton, with her poem "Deeds".

She wins £250.

Further details and a list of all the other category winners at: https://www.poetry-festival.co.uk/ledbury-poetry-competition/