TWO Bexley amateur poets have won their way through to this year’s National Poetry Anthology.

The anthology, published by United Press, has been in existence for the last 12 years and is the largest free-to-enter poetry competition in the country.

People can send up to three poems for consideration and the judges choose around 250 of the best from regions across the country for publication each year.

This year, poems from two Bexley people are in the book.

Jacqueline Cooke from Bexleyheath describes a mysterious figure standing by the River Thames in her poem The Edge, while Peter Brown from Erith, describes a rat’s escape from the sewers, in A Rat’s Faith.

Anthology editor Peter Quinn said: “It is designed to encourage more people to get involved in poetry.”

Each successful poet receives a free copy of the anthology and also casts a vote for the overall best poem, whose author receives a cup and £1,000.

United Press are now looking for entries for next year.

Poems no longer than 20 lines or 160 words should be sent, marked NPA at the top, to United Press, Admail 3735, London EC1B 1JB or emailed to lynda@unitedpress.co.uk before June 30.