YOUNG poets who came up with crime prevention verse have been rewarded at a special ceremony.

The Harwich and District Community Crime Prevention Panel presented the winners of its revived Rhyme V Crime poetry competition with certificates and an anthology including their work at the Park Pavilion in Dovercourt.

Chairman Nigel Spencer said: “Excited friends and relations and the young winners met with a whole host of Essex dignitaries and local entertainers for a wonderful evening of celebration and community togetherness.

“Poetry anthologies, certificates and prizes were awarded to young people from nine north Essex schools and education establishments.

“Throughout the evening, the appropriate age groups received their awards, and some poets read out their poems - to great applause.

“The various dignitaries had positive messages and were clearly impressed by the quality of what they saw.”

Certificates were handed out by dignitaries including former Lord Lieutenant of Essex Lord Petre, Essex High Sheriff James Bettley, chairman of Essex County Council John Jowers, and chairman of Tendring Council Mark Platt.

Mr Spencer added: “James Bettley rounded off the lovely evening by presenting High Sheriff Awards to crime prevention panel co-founder and secretary, Lesley Chambers, and to councillor Garry Calver who originally thought up the concept of Rhymes against Crimes over 20 years ago. A retiring collection raised £130 for the High Sheriff’s charity fund.”

First place winners were Lola Kenny, Jack Rowland, Elijah Trigg, Freia Beeson-Cocks, and Jessica van der Zanden.