A LANDLORD is challenging drinkers to wax lyrical about his pub to mark the birth of Shakespeare.

Robert Middlemiss, from the Church Mouse pub, in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, is calling on punters to put pen to paper and write a Shakespearean verse about the inn to mark the bard's birthday, tomorrow. As it is also St George's Day, the verse must also mention the saint.

Mr Middlemiss said: "Our inn is very traditional and we thought this would be the perfect place to celebrate such an English day.

"We are hoping that guests will come up with a really original verse about the inn.

"To make it even more of a challenge, the verse must mention the name of the inn, and mark the saint's day, St George."

The writer of the best verse will win a book containing all Shakespeare's sonnets.