'WORD Up', the search to find a Young Poet Laureate for Worcestershire is closing for entries on Monday, December 31 and any young person who wants to enter is being urged to get their entry in on time.

'Word Up' is open to young people between the ages of 13 and 19 who live in, or go to school, college and university or youth club in Worcestershire.

To enter this year's competition young people need to submit two poems, one on the subject of 'Stars' and the other on a subject of their choice.

The closing date is midnight on Monday, December 31 2012. The best 15 poets will be invited to take part in a grand final in the new year.

The 2011/12 winner, Rowan Standish-Hayes, is over halfway through his reign and has enjoyed an incredible experience so far involving writing, performing and enthusing young and not so young people throughout the county.

Professional performance poets Spoz, and Matt Windle, who are as removed from stereotypical poets as possible, are involved in the project. The organisers are keen to show that poetry can be exciting, funky and a great way of expressing thoughts and emotions.

For more information, contact Natalie on 07876 144 905 or Steve on 01905 765754 or visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/wordup

Word Up is part of a wider poetry agenda for young people in Worcestershire called 3 Verse which encompasses Word Up, and the well established middle school and high school poetry slams.

For more information, visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/3verse