BUDDING poets are urged to get their entries in for the annual Christopher Salmon poetry competition as the closing date looms.

The Christopher Salmon Foundation and Wirral Libraries are bringing the popular poetry extravaganza back for 2019 following the event's huge success.

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.

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."

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.

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.