PEOPLE from St Helens are invited to get creative write a poem about the town as part of a competition.

Held by United Press, the poetry contest is free to enter and people from all ages can have a go – including beginners.

The best poem will win £1,000 cash and you can send up to three entries, which must be no more than 25 lines (each blank line counts as one line) and 160 words each.

“It can even be about something or someone from the poet’s home area,” said United Press spokesman.

“We find that poems written from personal observation and experience are the most heartfelt and expressive, so we’re expecting some great entries.

“The contest is designed to encourage ordinary people to write poetry – to both express themselves and be more creative.”

To enter, send a poem about your local area, to “Local Poem” by emailing info@unitedpress.co.uk or by post to United Press Ltd, Admail 3735, London, EC1B 1JB. The closing date is December 31.