SCHOOLchildren in York and North Yorkshire are being urged to take part in a charity Christmas poetry competition.

Organised by the York branch of Cruse, the competition is open to schools in York and surrounding areas, including Selby, Malton, and Ryedale. Poems from pupils aged 12 upwards can be submitted as an individual or collaborative class entry.

Cruse is a national bereavement care charity and the chairman of the York branch, Sue Gill, said “We hope our free poetry competition inspires local school pupils to demonstrate their imagination in a creative way. “We are looking for uplifting poems expressing feelings and emotions in a distinctive style and rhythm.”

Schools can submit as many entries as they wish, provided each is on school headed paper accompanied by an official competition form. Forms are available by emailing york@cruse.org.uk with “Poetry Competition” in the title bar.

The competition closes on October 31, with the winning schools notified by November 16. Entries by post to York Cruse Administrator, 3, Nursery Cottages, Wighill, Nr Tadcaster, LS24 8BQ, or emailed to york@cruse.org.uk