The search is on for the north-west’s best food poems for an anthology being published by Lancashire independent publisher Clitheroe Books Press.

The anthology, which is being published under the press’s new Poet’s Dozen imprint, will feature the best 13 poems from North West writers celebrating all things food.

The anthology is being published in association with Ribble Valley council to celebrate Clitheroe’s designation as Lancashire’s official food town and the forthcoming re-launch of the Ribble Valley food trail.

The book will be edited by Jo Harding, owner of Clitheroe Books, and former East Lancashire journalist Theresa Robson, who together run Clitheroe Books Press, as well as the Pennine Lancashire Poetry Society Stanza.

Jo said: “Whatever whets their appetite, whether it be gourmet sausages, or crumbly Lancashire cheese, freshly-roasted coffee, or a tongue-tingling curry, we are inviting north-west poets to put pen to paper in praise of food and send us their verse. We are interested in poems on any aspect of food production and cookery, and all we ask is that they are upbeat, or celebratory.”

Up to three original poems of no more than 40 lines each should be sent to Food Poems, Clitheroe Books, 29 Moor Lane, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 1BE, by Monday, 5 September. Each poem should be typed on one side of A4 paper, with the name of the contributor on the back. The anthology will be named after one of the poems, or a line from one of the poems. Further details are available from Jo Harding at Clitheroe Books on 01200 444242.