A BUDDING poet from a Cumbrian school has scooped the prestigious Rydal Mount Wordsworth Prize.

Heidi Ostell, 15, won the young poets award with her poem Levethian of the Forest.

It was judged to be the best from more than 100 entries from school pupils across Cumbria by descendants of the poet William Wordsworth.

Heidi said: “I like how poetry is more of an art form than just a piece of writing, each line has to be carefully crafted.

“I like Gothic poetry such as Edgar Allen Poe and Byron but since entering the competition I’ve become more interested in Romantic poems.”

The Trinity High School pupil from Carlisle was presented with a trophy and a £50 cash prize by William Wordsworth’s great-great-great-great-grandson Christopher Wordsworth.

Mr Wordsworth said: “The whole family was thrilled by the number of entries and the high standard from all schools and all age groups.

It is so good to see we have many budding poets in the county to carry on the Wordsworth tradition.”

The award ceremony took place at Rydal Mount near Ambleside, which was Wordsworth’s home for most of his life.

Heidi’s name is now the first on a plaque which will be permanently displayed at Rydal Mount as the poetry contest becomes an annual event.

Her poem, which falls under the competition’s theme of flowers and trees, will also be framed and hung on the wall for visitors to read.

Heidi said that the inspiration for her poem came from a scene in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings in which the trees come alive.

“I liked the idea of bringing a tree to life and giving it personality and I found the imagery of the forest was really impressive and detailed, which also inspired me,” she added.