A BURNLEY landlord is searching for the best pub poet in the region.

The Ram pub, in Cliviger, wants punters to wax lyrical about a local topic for its Bard of the bars competition.

An online vote will decide who wins the competition in Burnley before he, or she, goes forward to a regional contest with poets unearthed by brewery Vintage’s other bars.

The Ram’s landlord Tony Wah said: “Can there be anything much more inspirational when it comes to writing poetry than enjoying a quiet pint of golden ale on a warm summer’s evening?

“We have decided to join the other Vintage Inns in the region to find the best poet.

“Their verse will be published along with those of the winners from around the country and we’ll be asking customers to vote for their favourite in an online poll.”

Entrants have to include a reference to the Cliviger area in their poem, along with one of the six beers included in the real ale festival, which will be launched at the same time as the competition.

The national winner will land a VIP weekend for four people in London, including rail travel, accommodation, a champagne picnic, and tickets for the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew.

Entries must be sent by email to pubpoet@gmail.com and entrants should put The Ram in the subject line of their email and include their name and telephone number.

The deadline for the competition is Friday, July 31.