Poet Laureate Duffy fights poetry cuts

Carol Ann Duffy became the first female to be appointed Poet Laureate in 2009

Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy is to host a poetry benefit evening in aid of the Poetry Book Society (PBS), which is losing all its government funding.

"At the time of the Arts Council England cuts to the PBS... many poets and readers felt a sense of anger and grief," Duffy said in a statement.

Set up by TS Eliot and friends, the PBS provides information and reviews on contemporary poetry for readers.

The benefit on 3 June will take place at University College London.

Readers at the event will include Duffy, John Agard and Elaine Feinstein.

The PBS said more than 1,000 people had signed a petition submitted to Arts Council England asking for it to reconsider its decision.