IMAGINATIVE primary school pupils have had their poetry published in a national writing competition.

A total of 72 year five and six pupils from Spring Meadow Primary School, in Harwich, have achieved the Young Writers Award of Excellence for their poetry.

The award is part of the Young Writers Poetry Competition, which has been successfully running for the past 25 years.

The competition is organised in conjunction with primary schools across the country and is aimed at encouraging young writers to enjoy reading and poetry – with the chance of having their work published.

The year’s competition was entitled Once Upon a Dream – verses from Essex and it received more than 35,000 entries nationwide from talented pupils.

The successful winners from Spring Meadow Primary School will have their poems published in a large poetry book named Once Upon a Dream, which is currently in the process of being made.

To have their work published, the pupils students had to write poems which were imaginative, creative and had a descriptive as well as colourful use of language.

Mrs Pallett, deputy headteacher and Year 6 teacher, said: “We are always seeking ways to inspire children to write and this competition is the perfect opportunity for children to showcase their creative talents.

“We are overwhelmed by the number of poems that have been selected from such a large number of entries.

“We are immensely proud of the children’s achievements and cannot wait to see their work in print.”