ASPIRING poets of all ages are being invited to take part in an annual poetry competition set up in memory of Wirral student Christopher Salmon.

Set to be launched this month as part of Wirral Libraries poetry week, the competition began in 2010 as a tribute to Calday Grammar School student Chris Salmon who lost his life to a rare streptococcal infection in February 2009 aged just 15.

The theme for this year's competition is 'Heroes' and the closing date is January 24, 2019.

Winners and runners up in all five age categories will be awarded cash prizes and given the chance to attend a workshop with renowned poet Levi Tafari.

All prizes will be presented at an awards evening for the winners and their families at Wallasey Town Hall.

The overall winner for the 16 or under category will also be crowned Wirral Libraries' Young Poet Laureate 2019.

Chris' parents Julie and Rich said: "We are absolutely delighted that the competition has grown so much in popularity and now attracts entrants whose ages range from four to 94.

"It is wonderful to be able to do something positive and creative in Christopher’s memory which captures the imagination of so many talented people."

Set up in 2009, The Christopher Salmon Foundation has so far raised an astonishing £53,000 for charity.

Entry forms for this year's competition are available from Wirral libraries or via http://www.chrissalmon.org.uk/poetry/poetry-2019.aspx from September 15.

All completed forms must be returned to Diane Mitchell at Birkenhead Library by January 24, 2019.