POETS are being invited to pen wildlife-inspired lines of verse for an Otley-based competition.

Wildlife will be the theme of this year's Otley Poetry Prize.

The annual competition is being run by the town's specialist poetry publisher, OWF/Half Moon Books, in conjunction with Wildlife Friendly Otley.

As well as a £250 top prize and a runner’s up prize of £50, the contest will include an Only-Otley prize for a poet who lives in, or has a strong connection to, the town.

The entries this year will be judged by Yorkshire poet Gaia Holmes.

Peter White, of Half Moon Books, said: "We are open to all poets and would-be poets who can interpret wildlife in whichever way they wish; poems about trees, rivers, birds, animals, bees, wild flowers and the nature that enriches our world; poems about wild lives and wild places, or the wild and dark forest of the imagination." Entry forms are available from Otley Courthouse and Otley Core, and can also be found online at www.halfmoonbooks.co.uk .

Andrew McKeon from Wildlife Friendly Otley added: "We are delighted that the 2018 Otley Poetry Prize will be focusing on wildlife.

"It is a splendid way of celebrating and raising awareness of the wonderful and precious natural environment and wildlife we have on our doorstep in Otley."

Wildlife Friendly Otley is a new campaigning group that has been started to promote interest in Otley’s rich flora and fauna.

To find out more send an e-mail to: wildlifefriendlyotley@gmail.com .