has launched its .

The Poet Laureate works with Peterborough City Council's Library Service to identify opportunities to involve them with communities across the city, chronicling special events and celebrating different aspects of Peterborough.
Over the past nine years many excellent local poets have had the opportunity to make a real contribution to the cultural growth of the city.

The laureate is chosen through a free-to-enter competition, sponsored by Waterstone's, that is open to anyone aged over 16 years who lives, works (whether paid or voluntary) or goes to school or college in Peterborough.

Entrants must submit a poem of up to 30 lines on the theme of "dreams" - the topic of this year's National Poetry Day. In addition, entrants are asked to think about what they would do during their year as Poet Laureate and include a brief plan as part of their entry.

Competition organiser Gill Benedikz, of Peterborough Libraries said: "We are very proud of our Poet Laureate programme and hope that as many people as possible will enter the competition. This is the ideal way to make poetry a part of community life and celebrate local talent.

"This is a very special year for Peterborough's Poet Laureate – not only is 2008 this our tenth year, it is also the National Year of Reading."

Deadline for entries is November 2. Short-listed entrants will be asked to attend a special evening at the John Clare Theatre on November 12, where they will read their poems to an audience and panel, who will select the new Poet Laureate for 2008.

Entry forms are available at local Peterborough libraries or from reader services, telephone (01733) 742708, or via email from gill.benedikz@peterborough.gov.uk.