A Pint of Poetry and a Dash of Drama was formed in 2006 by friends Mark Grist, Summer Moeed and Richard Harris, and this month a party was held to mark the anniversary

The group managed to attract one of their largest audiences ever for their party, held in Charters pub, near Town Bridge, and everyone who turned up was given a slice of birthday cake, baked by Summer for the occasion.

And for the first time ever, the group were able to invite a special guest to perform as Rachel Pantechnicon travelled down from the Edinburgh Festival to perform, along with many of the regulars that have helped the evening grow from strength to strength.

On the night, poems about subjects as diverse as growing old, elves and a performance of a Shakespeare classic were all on the menu.

Mark, who is also Peterborough's Poet Laureate, said that he was amazed at how the group had grown in the two years. He said: "People who two years ago had never written poetry in their life are now applying for nationally respected competitions and gigs.

"The night is also nationally recognised by some of the biggest names in poetry, which is amazing for poetry in Peterborough.

"I think that the success is down to the performers who come and put their head on the block every month, and also the regular audience that come along every month to support the performers. We also have to say a big thank-you to Charters for allowing us to put this on every month for free."

Summer added that she was shocked that the night had been such a success.

She said: "It is amazing to be celebrating the second birthday.

"When we first set the night up, we never thought that people would want to come, and we never thought that we would be here now."

The free event takes place on the second Wednesday of every month at Charters pub, meeting at 8.30pm.

Performers are encouraged to bring either their own work, or a favourite piece along, or people are invited to come along as part of the audience.

Visit www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/poetry to read work by local poets.