A TALENTED young poet has been commended for her entry in a national animal rights poetry competition.

Alice Hoult, 14, from Ripon College in Ripon North Yorkshire entered her poem into a competition set by campaign group Animal Aid, with the theme Is it Right to Eat Animals?

Alice’s poem, entitles Did You Ever Wonder? was shortlisted in its age category for 13-14-year-olds out of hundreds of entries for its imagination, technique and understanding of the issue.

Animal Aid’s Competition Organiser Kelly Slade said: “Young people feel passionately about the welfare of animals and clearly recognise the impact their food choices have for farmed animals.

“Heartfelt congratulations to Alice - she richly deserves her award.”

An extract of the poem reads: "You chop me down, like I'm a treat, "A juicy dripping, chunk of meat, "But if you stop to think a while, "You'd see my life was rather vile, "All cramped up in that crowded shed."