MARY Stevens Park in Stourbridge will be hosting a series of poetry walks and a proms and poetry afternoon this summer.

Aspiring and experienced poets are invited to join in the three poetry walks which will take place from 2.30pm to 4pm on Sunday August 14, 21 and 28 - starting at the café off Queen’s Drive.

The proms and poetry event will take place on Sunday September 4 from 12pm to 5pm at the bandstand.

The free, informal events have been inspired by the restoration of the popular park following a £3million makeover, largely funded by Lottery cash, which has improved the bandstand, park gates, war memorial, lake and tea gardens and seen the creation of a new bowls pavilion and café.

Vicki Darby Smith, co-director of community interest company Walk Works which is leading the poetry walks, said: “We are aiming to give breathing space to ideas and approaches to making poetry that come directly out of walking in the park.”

The proms and poetry event will start with a performance by the West Midlands Concert Band; then from 2.30pm there will be poetry and spoken word open mic slots, compered by Black Country poet and writer Billy Spake Mon with musical interludes from Richard Adey on the accordion.

People can just turn up for the events – or to find out more call park ranger Deborah Merrick on 01384 815279 or 07773 078427, email deborah.merrick@dudley.gov.uk or go to www.marystevenspark.org