A SPECIAL-needs boy from Radcliffe is well-versed when it comes to having his literary efforts recognised.

For nine-year-old Nathan Richardson has surprised his parents by having a poem published in a new book. His five-line verse was among those chosen from 100,000 entries submitted for inclusion in the Once Upon a Rhyme Greater Manchester Anthology volume two poetry book.

Nathan, who attends the town's St Mary's primary school, is registered as special- needs and has undergone speech therapy. His proud mum Karen (34), of Ainsworth Road, Radcliffe, had no idea her son had actually entered the competition until Nathan was awarded his certificate by the publishers.

"He never told us anything about the poetry book. The first I knew about it was when details of the publication came through the post with Nathans certificate. It was a total shock."

The youngster's imaginatively-written poem is entitled Wonders of the World. In it, he describes the sun as a hot bowl of lava, the earth as a big football, the grass hard and prickly and the sea a gigantic fish tank.

Mum Karen went on: "Apparently, the volume is based on key stage two and all the poems are from young writers. It's their outlook on how they see the world. Nathan loves his English lessons. He never told us he had actually written his poem. Now, we're waiting to receive a copy of the book.

"Nathan is special-needs registered but he is not disabled. He just has speech problems. I am so proud of him."