WILLIAM Wordsworth descendants are to judge a poetry competition involving local school children.

The contest has been organised by Stampers Restaurant in Ambleside which is celebrating the 200th anniversary of Wordsworth becoming 'Distributor of Stamps for Westmorland' and starting work in The Old Stamp House.

The building on Church Street and opposite The Priest Hole, is two-tier with the street-level part occupied by national pasty chain Greggs, and the cellar being home to Stampers restaurant run by Helen Abel.

At the same time as Wordsworth went to work in Ambleside; he also moved from Dove Cottage, Grasmere, to Rydal Mount near Ambleside, where he lived for 37 years until he died in 1850 at the age of 80.

The Wordsworth family still own Rydal Mount and Gardens and have offered to judge the youngsters’ work. A reception for winners and their families will be held at Stampers in March.

Ambleside Primary School and the Lakes School are taking part.