THERE is still time to vote for poems written about the local area from writers who have entered the first Minehead Poetry Competition.

Organised by Minehead Coast Development Trust, the competition is being judged by public vote, which closes next Sunday (August 20).

“You can vote for more than one poem,” said the competition’s administrator Shonie Millward-Usher, “You just need to give your name and address, the name of the poem or poems of your choice and the name of the writer.

All the entries can be found online and voting can be done via the website Facebook page: Minehead Poetry Competition, at  www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091916478702 or directly by email to [email protected]

“I’ve been blown away by the number of votes sent in so far,” said Shonie. “It’s hoped that the winning poems will be displayed on Minehead’s seafront shelters in order to show off local talent. There is also the possibility of the verses being made into a book.”

Funding for the competition is being sought by the trust and by Minehead town councillor Mimi Palmer, who is involved in the project. Shonie added: “A massive thankyou to all contributors - we thoroughly enjoyed reading all the poems and we are excited to finally share them with everyone.”

Pictured are two poems from younger members of the community - Edith, aged five and a half and Holly, 11.