FORGET Pop Idol -- Poetry Idol is the next big thing!

Year Seven English pupils at St Mary's High School, Blackpool, held the competition as part of their poetry study.

And Michael Houghton was voted class 7Y1's Poetry Idol 2001 -- after heated debate by the four judges, Laura Clark, Lucy Gough-Jones, Luke Heselwood and John Rembowski, and a secret ballot of the audience.

School spokesman Louise Morgan said: "The youngsters are currently studying a poetry module which includes both modern and pre-20th Century poetry.

"As a speaking and listening assessment with a difference, the pupils were given the task of finding their own poem and had to work out how to present it to the class and a panel of four poetry pundits."

Some pupils chose the works of popular modern poets, while others, like Michael, penned their own lines she explained.

"The contestants were given instant feedback from the critical judges and were either invited back for the next round or told to stick to the day job. The class had a huge amount of fun with this and it was a real success," said Louise.

And Michael was "thrilled" to have won. "He got a certificate and a selection box, he was really pleased," she said.

Pupils from all year groups raised £1,000 for school funds recently by packing bags for busy shoppers at Blackpool's Asda superstore. The students worked two-hour shifts during the fund raising day at the Cherry Tree Road store.