A WEYMOUTH primary school pupil is set to meet a famous poet and author in London after winning a national poetry competition.

Cameron Martin, aged 11 from Southill Primary School, will meet poet and author Michael Rosen in the capital in February after he claimed top prize for his Night Owl poem in the Children’s Bookshow Poetry Competition 2022.

Cameron, who is one of the school’s reading champions, said: "I really wasn’t expecting to win something this big and I’m so excited to visit London for the first time. I’m looking forward to meeting Michael Rosen because he inspires me with poetry. In fact, he’s the main reason I’m interested in it." 

Dorset Echo: Cameron Martin, 11, with his Night Owl poem and year 6 teacher at Southill Primary School Miss SavageCameron Martin, 11, with his Night Owl poem and year 6 teacher at Southill Primary School Miss Savage (Image: Southill Primary School)

As a result of Cameron's “outstandingly good entry”, Southill Primary School will receive £200 of new books for its library as well as signed copies of poetry books by Michael Rosen and other poets featured in the Children’s Bookshow Autumn showcase.

"We’re all so proud of him.," said Miss Savage, Cameron’s year 6 teacher.

"He spent time thinking about his choice of vocabulary to create the atmosphere he wanted. It’s a beautiful poem and this prize has created a real buzz in the classroom around writing and poetry."