SAMANTHA Louise Marshall, aged 12, is the first young poet to submit her "Nonsense Poem" for a competition organised by the Octagon Theatre.

The competition open to all youngsters, where the prize is a chance to read out their winning poem on stage, is being run to coincide with the theatre's production of The Owl and The Pussy Cat Went to See.

Samantha's poem was about The Bumble Wembley Bee.

"The Bumble Wembley Bee

Lives high amid the honey tree.

His wings are fine and delicate,

So he can fly so free.

Bumble Wembley lives in a place,

Where no one dares to wander.

He buzzes round and collects his honey,

From the pitiless flowers o'er yonder.

In Jingly Wrongly garden where Bumble Wembley lives,

The most strangest things, can occur,

So do please be aware,

Nobody ever dare steal honey,

From the Bumble Wembley Bee.

'Con if they do, he'll buzz like mad,

And chase you round the honey tree."

The competition is being run in conjunction with the Bolton Evening News and is open to youngsters aged between five and 12. All you have to do is write a nonsense poem -- you can use drawings if you like.

There are two age groups, five to eight years and nine to 12 years. Some of the best poems will be printed in the BEN and exhibited in the theatre and the final winners will receive prizes and get the chance to read their poem on stage.

Deadline for entries is Friday, January 5, 2001. Send your entries to Nonsense Poems, Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, Bolton.