Now's the time to turn to rhyme and enter our poetry competition

A poetic scene and the perfect time and opportunity to put pen to paper and be creative – it could make you a winner in our newly-launched poetry competition.

We want you, our readers, to create a memorable poem worthy of being read at Wolverhampton's inaugural literary festival.

It does not need to be about Christmas, there are no restrictions on entries when it comes to subject matter or style – in fact entrants are encouraged to be as imaginative as they like.

Equally, poems will be accepted from young and old alike.

The winner will be selected by a panel of judges and the best entry will be read at the Wolverhampton Original Literature Festival between January 27 and 29.

The Express & Star is supporting the exciting event which is being staged across 13 different venues. They include the Arena Theatre, Bantock House, Beacon Centre for the Blind, Bilston Craft Gallery, Central library, Light House, the Millennium City Buildingat the University of Wolverhampton, Newhampton Arts Centre, Northycote Farm, Tabernacle Church, Wolverhampton Art Gallery and the City Archives.

Headine acts include award-winning writer Sathnam Sanghera and Grand Theatre panto star and YouTube sensation Doreen Tipton.

Express & Star columnist Peter Rhodes will run through some stories published in this newspaper and latterly put together in his book, Talking With Tommies - The Stories Behind For A Shilling A Day at the city art gallery on January 29.

And The Wonder Stuff frontman Miles Hunt will talk about the band's success between 1990-94 when he appears at The Slade Rooms on January 27. Beforehand Ned's Atomic Dustbin frontman Jonn Penney will discuss the early years of the 'grebo' scene with best-selling author Martin Roach.

Deputy editor Diane Davies said: "We are delighted to be part of the city's inaugural literary festival and would really like our readers to play a big part in it too.

"I know there are some talented writers and budding poets out there, take the Christmas holidays as an opportunity to let those creative juices flow. I can't wait to see the results."

Entries should be emailed to karen.baker@expressandstar.co.uk or sent by post to Karen Baker, Express & Star, 51-53 Queen Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1ES by January 20.