Rugby High pupil named young laureate

This honorary position will give Emily Stephens the chance to work with Warwickshire Libraries and other organisations, in events across the county.

In the course of the year she will be assigned a mentor, a professional poet, who will support her with her writing.

Emily said: “Writing since a child, my poetic expression was originally channelled through lyrics but the focus of my most favoured art form generally has always been, and always will be, around poetry.

“Currently, I am looking forward to the opportunities that will unfold for me in the future, thanks to my ambassador role for poetry throughout the county. The generosity of the people I am working alongside – including library and county council workers – is proving endless, and my gratitude for the way in which I will be representing Warwickshire is the same.

“Poetry will constantly be an art I invest my time and love into, and I hope this is understood throughout and beyond my role as laureate.”