DESPITE not winning a trophy, Wharfedale Music Festival poetry competition entrant Colin Woodhouse found an unusual way to have his efforts preserved

permanently.

Mr Woodhouse's sister-in-law embroidered his poem in cross-stitch as a long lasting reminder of his entry to the 96th Festival which begins in nine days time.

"He was very proud of it and wanted it on display," said Festival Secretary Elizabeth Holbrook.

During the competition, the embroidered poem should find pride of place in the Christchurch Lower Hall.

As a precursor to the beginning of the event the results of this year's Poetry Competition have been announced.

The winner of the Fledgling Trophy for an original poem of not more than 12 lines for entrants under nine years old is Edward Hardy, of Ilkley, with a poem judged to be outstanding. Isabella Ashley, of Ilkley and Hannah Saddington, of Ilkley, also wrote poems in this category, along with Harriet Brassington, of Bingley, all judged to be outstanding for this category. The winner of The Thorpe Trophy, for an original poem of not more than 24 lines for entrants under 12 is Isabella Gullan, of Cross Hills.

.In the Under-14 category, Tom Martin, of Cross Hills won .

From Fulneck School, Rachel Gautry, Rachel Cole, Daniel Ross, and Christopher Armit, also produced outstanding poems.

In the Over 18 Category, Josie Clement, of Lothersdale won. Barbara Daniels, of Usk, won the Under-16 category of a poem in a traditional form such as sonnet or villanelle, with an outstanding effort.

Any unpublished poem of not more than 30 lines on the theme 'dreams' was won by Barbara Daniels, of Usk.

The category of Haiku for 16 years and over was won by Pennant Roberts, of Altrincham, with an outstanding performance.

Trophy winners: Fledgling Trophy - Edward Hardy; Thorpe Trophy - Isabella Gullan; Bradford Libraries Trophy Winner - Tom Martin; BBC Radio Leeds Poetry Cup Winner - Barbara Daniels.

The Festival proper begins on May 11 with competitions taking place in five venues in Ilkley for a week.

The end of the Festival will be marked with a Gala Concert at the King's Hall, on May 18, when the winning competitors will reprise their impressive performances.

During the week of the Festival, the winning poems will be on display in the Lower Hall, Christchurch.