A DARLINGTON craft and design store has joined a growing collection of businesses around the country to be sent mystery love poems without rhyme or reason.

Maison Royale, in the Cornmill Shopping Centre has become the first store in Darlington to report receiving the odd odes signed by “composer Mark Jones” and posted from Lancashire.

To date store owner Angela Kingsley has received three poems, handwritten in silver pen on black card and featuring inspiring messages around themes including love and bravery.

All three poems include the sign off ‘keep your chin up, keep smiling’.

The mystery author has been posting poems for more than five years and there are reports of his work being sent to Yeovil Town and Hednesford Town football clubs, churches and salons in the North-East and hotels in Wales, among others.

Some recipients have attempted to find the poet but with no success.

Mrs Kingsley, from Darlington, said the poems were a ‘lovely gesture’ and has framed them to showcase to customers.

She added: “I was so intrigued when I received the first poem – it’s such a lovely message that you can’t help but smile when reading it. All of the poems are very inspiring and include messages that I think everyone could take something from. I hadn’t heard about the mystery poet previously but after looking it up I’m really keen to find out who’s behind them so I can thank them for their kind gesture. In the meantime, I’m hoping to receive another soon!”