POETS have the chance to earn the prestigious title of poet laureate, and bring creative writing to the community for a year.

Worcestershire LitFest and Fringe, also known as LitFest, is calling for poets to submit their work for the chance to be crowned the county’s next Poet Laureate.

Current Poet Laureate Betti Moretti, a self employed artist and mum said: “I’ve loved my time as Worcestershire Poet Laureate - it’s given me so many opportunities to bring writing to the Worcestershire community and I’ve met some incredible people along the way.

“This year’s theme of pathways leaves a lot of room for poets to express their feelings and I’m looking forward to seeing who will take the reins at the official opening of the festival. My advice to anyone thinking of applying is, simply, do it. Believe in yourself and your writing.”

Among her duties as laureate this year, Mrs Moretti, from Bewdley has visited Drake Hall, a female prison in Staffordshire where she put on an art and poetry day.

She has also performed at many festivals and events including Licensed to Rhyme, which is hosted by Maggie Doyle, the first female national Poet Laureate.

The Poet Laureate is expected to be an ambassador for writing across Worcestershire through holding events and workshops throughout the year-long residency.

To be considered, poets living in Worcestershire are invited to submit two poems to a panel of judges – one on the theme of ‘pathways’ and another of their own choosing. Poets must also include a short biography explaining why they should be considered and any experience they have in not only writing poetry but performing as well.

In addition to its Poet Laureate competition, Litfest has a young writer competition also open for submissions. Writers aged between seven and 17 are invited to send short stories on the theme of myths and legends.

The winner will be announced alongside the new laureate.

Litfest is also inviting writers of ‘flash fiction’, stories of no more than 300 words, to submit their work for the chance to be published in its annual anthology, which will be published later this year. All themes will be considered.

Like the Laureate and young writer competitions, the winners will be announced at the launch of the Worcestershire LitFest and Fringe festival in June.