There is still time to enter the Kentish Gazette's poetry competition which has been inspired by the city's poet laureate Lemn Sissay.

It's a chance to wax lyrical about Canterbury, or otherwise, as a place to live, work, shop or simply visit.

It is open to all, from experienced writers to first time poets, and the winner will get tickets to see Lemn Sissay unveil a poem for Canterbury at the Cathedral on June 9, as well as a meal for two at the Marlowe Theatre before the performance.

Offering his own advice, Lemn says: "Choose a place and a time that means something deeply to you, good or bad, and write about that.

"I would like the person to write the poem to match something that has happened to them in the city - the actual place, name of the street, bend of the river or the park they sat in.

"Cities are about the stories within in them. Someone is rushing to the train station for a reason - someone is rushing from it for another.

"People often think poetry is not about them or something bigger, cleverer but actually it's all about the detail, the smallest event. The smallest things are the most beautiful in poetry."

If Lemn has inspired you, submit your entry to kentishgazette@thekmgroup.co.uk.

It should be no more than 220 words and be sure to include your name, address and telephone number. The closing date is Thursday, May 25.