A POET is hoping to be inspired when she steps into a tattoo parlour on Monday.

Kitty Fitzgerald, the award-wining poet and screenwriter, will be the first poet to take up a mini-residency in an unusual and challenging place in County Durham.

She will be at Eddie's Tattoo Studio, in Horden, on Monday, to soak up the atmosphere and find inspiration among the vibrant colours and designs.

The event is the first in a series of day-long poetry residencies organised by Durham County Council as part of the Sharp Stick initiative.

The scheme is run by Kevin Cadwallender, the Arts, Libraries and Museum's department's first poet-in-residence, and will include visits by nationally-renowned poets, readings, roadshows and work with young people.

Gillian Wall, arts development manager, said: "The idea for a poet-in-residence came from our libraries as a way of stimulating interest, and raising the profile of poetry.

"We want to get people reading, writing and recognising poetry as an everyday thing.

"The mini-residencies will provide an unusual snapshot of life in County Durham, which we hope will encourage young people to dip into poetry."