Latitude children's poetry competition gets bigger

Anna, who was 11, won the inaugural competition last year, performing on the Waterfront Stage

A children's poetry competition run by the BBC and the Latitude festival is expanding to cover three counties.

The winner will get to read their own work on the Waterfront Stage – which floats on the lake at Henham Park, Suffolk – to officially open this year's weekend of music, arts and culture in July.

The competition is open seven to 11-year-olds who live or go to school in Suffolk, Norfolk or Cambridgeshire.

Festival director Melvin Benn said: "Latitude has always celebrated the power of words and the creative spirit, and this offers a wonderful opportunity for young voices to find a platform."

Latitude gets under way on 24 July this year

The competition first ran at last year's festival when it was open only to young people from Suffolk.

Louise Hulland, who presents the afternoon show across BBC Radio Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, is one of the four judges.

She said: "Poetry and creative writing is a huge part of the afternoon programme, and BBC Local Radio is all about being a friend to our listeners, so I'm really looking forward to reading all the entries."

BBC presenter Sarah Lilley, poet Luke Wright and Latitude arts curator Kirsty Taylor will also be judging the submissions on the theme of friendship.

Luke Wright is currently touring with his latest show, Joy

Wright said: "Our friends lift us up, they enrich our lives, they bring us joy.

"Capturing joy in a poem is no easy thing but when it's done well it makes for such wonderful reading.

"I want to see those moments of joy friendship can bring.

"After the brilliant entries we had last year, I have high hopes. I can't wait to read your friendship poems."

BBC presenter Sarah Lilley introduced Anna on stage with festival founder and director Melvin Benn

Last year's winner was Anna, 11, from near Lavenham.

She wrote The Mother Tree, about searching for a special tree to share her feelings with.

She had her Latitude experience documented by Newsround.

Poems can be submitted here, where you can also see full terms and our privacy notice.

Entries close on Friday 11 April at midday.