BUDDING poets in a former east Durham pit village are being urged to come up with works focusing on health.

And the winning tomes will be in line for prizes ranging from fruit baskets to a year's free gym membership.

Horden Health Forum has organised the poetry competition. It is open to all residents and the aim is to raise awareness of health issues in the village.

The forum also intends to assist local groups to develop health-related activities.

For the poetry scheme, the forum has joined forces with Horden Library.

The poems, which should be on the theme of A Healthy Horden, must be no longer than 200 words and need to be submitted to the library by June 13.

There are four categories: ages up to seven, eight to 11, 12 to 18 and 18 plus.

There will be a first second and third prize for each category with the top prize in the older category being a year's membership at the village's Biceps Gym.

For more information on the Health Forum project, contact Sarah Scott on 0191- 587 6002 or Julie Tucker on 0191-554 5726.