IT was poetic justice for a budding writer after scooping the title as the town's poetry champion.

Jean Turner, of Severn Drive, Walton-le-Dale, could not believe her luck when two of her poems were picked as the best in the bunch in a top competition.

Now, her poems - The Star and The Divine Spark - will be included in a compilation of work from writers across the country.

Jean, 64, pictured, has been dabbling in poetry for around ten years before entering The National Poetry Anthology competition.

She said: "I was so thrilled that my poems were chosen for the book."

Jean, who is married with seven children, added: "It takes me about four to five minutes to write a poem once I get the idea.

"I pick up ideas from all sorts of places and different types of experiences.

"I got inspiration to write The Divine Spark after seeing a flash of lightening. It can be something as simple as that!"

Since the start of her writing career talented Jean has notched up around 12 poetic works.

Retired Jean, who used to work as a clerk and auxiliary nurse at the old Preston Royal Infirmary, enjoys charity and church work at St Mary's Church, Brownedge Road, Lostock Hall.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.