THE winners of a poetry competition were visited at their schools this week.

Christina Gabbitas, Selby children's author and founder of the Selby Children's Literature Festival, visited the winners this week with Rev Canon John Weetman of Selby Abbey and English lead of Barwic Parade, Claire Appleton.

Macy Dew, seven, from Barwic Parade Primary, and Keiran Brigham, 11, from Barlby High School, each submitted poems for the festival earlier this month.

The top ten poems will be displayed in Selby Abbey for the public to see, and will be published in a commemorative book in coming months.

Christina said: "Children from 42 schools in the district were invited to pen a poem about Selby Abbey in celebration of 950 years. We received hundreds of poems from the children and are very impressed by the standard. It has been great way of educating the children on such an iconic historical treasure that we have in Selby."

John Weetman said: "Thank you to Christina Gabbitas for organising the competition among the schools to write a poem about Selby Abbey, giving local children another way to join us in celebrating the Abbey's 950th anniversary celebrations and congratulations to the two winners and all those who entered for their creativity. We look forward to displaying more of the entries in the Abbey very soon for our visitors to enjoy."