A TOP British wordsmith takes to the stage as part of a Clitheroe poetry festival next week.

Amanda Dalton, who has been shortlisted for the prestigious Prix Italia Award, will read at the Cafe Caprice, in Moor Lane, at 7.30pm, on Thursday, May 18.

Amanda, education director at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, recently had her first poetry collection, How to Disappear', published to critical acclaim.

Meanwhile, her radio drama, Room of Leaves', is in the running for the Prix Italia Award.

The Clitheroe readings, supported by Ribble Valley Council, have featured American Anne Rouse in February, and Bulgarian Kapka Kassabova in March.

They have been organised by Jo Harding, owner of Clitheroe Books, who said: "They have provided a unique opportunity for a small rural town to host some of the biggest names in contemporary poetry in the English language and have so far been a huge success."

Other readings in the series include Polly Clark on June 29, and Catriona O'Reilly on July 27.

Tickets priced £4.50, or £3.50 concessions, are available from Jo on 01200 444242.