PUPILS from schools in Leigh, Tyldesley and Lowton met Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy when they attended the launch of a language project at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Fred Longworth High School, Lowton C of E High School and Westleigh High School heard were inspired after hearing her her read her work and now are set to enter the Mother Tongue Other Tongue competition. This will feature a series of regional competitions split into two parts.

Students who do not have English as a first language have to describe what a lullaby, poem or song in their native language means to them, while as part Other Tongue pupils have to create an original poem in a second language that they are learning.

Schools will forward a shortlist of 10 entries and the winners will have their work published in an anthology.

Westleigh pupil, Leah Finnerty, aged 14, said: “I really enjoyed it. I didn’t expect it to be so funny!.”

Imani Kyem, 13, who also attends Westleigh High, said: “I can’t wait to enter the competition”

Lowton C of E High School pupil, Megan Sutcliffe, 14, was really impressed: “It was awesome. I had no idea poetry could be so much fun.”

Westleigh teacher Heather Greatbatch said: “It was an inspiring afternoon of multilingual, multicultural poetry and music. Our pupils loved the experience.”

Schools who wish to get involved in the project should contact Claudia Conerney at Manchester Metropolitan University on 0161 247 1789 or email c.conerney@mmu.ac.uk