The Christopher Tower Poetry Competition, the UK’s most valuable prize for young poets, opens for entries on National Poetry Day,

and this year students between 16-18 years of age are challenged to write a poem on the theme of ‘News’.

Established in 2000, the Tower Prizes are recognised as among the most prestigious literary awards for this age group.

The first prize is £3,000, with £1,000 and £500 going to the second and third prize-winners. In addition to individual prizes, the

students’ schools and colleges also receive cash prizes of £150. Longlisted entrants’ poems are published on the Tower Poetry website.

The entries will be judged this year by poets Olivia McCannon, Kei Miller and Peter McDonald.

The 2014 competition will build on the success of earlier competitions.

Previous prizewinners such as Caroline Bird, Helen Mort, Richard O’Brien, Charlotte Runcie, Anna Lewis, and Annie Katchinska

are now gaining further acclaim in other competitions or within the publishing/ writing world.

The competition is open to all 16-18 year-olds who are in full or part time education in the UK, and students and schools can find out more

information about the prizes and associated future events at www.towerpoetry.org.uk/prize, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01865 286591.

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or @TowerPoetry on Twitter or YouTube at www.youtube.com/christophertower1 .

The closing date for entries is Friday 28 February, 2014.

The winners will be announced on Thursday 24 April 2014.