IT'S a bit like a poet laureate, but in this case it's a poet WATEREATE!

Yorkshire Water has launched a hunt to find a wordsmith who can encapsulate the beauty and tranquillity of its land and reservoirs in rhyme.

The company owns more than 140 reservoirs and 72,000 acres of land, much of it woodland and moorland which attracts tourists.

Now its bosses want to find a new talent who can wax lyrical about it.

Corporate affairs director Rob Salmon said: "Established authors are welcome to join in, but it would be a bonus to discover an unpublished writer who shares our love of the land.

"All we want people to do is write a few verses reflecting what they believe people enjoy about walking, cycling, riding, sailing or fishing on Yorkshire Water land and send them to our judges."

The best will be published on Yorkshire Water's website in November, when visitors can vote on them.

The poem with the most votes will win £100, as well as recognition at the winner's favourite location.

There are no restrictions on age and any form of poetry is eligible, as long as it includes a reference to a Yorkshire Water location in the title or the verse.

For details visit yorkshirewater.com or phone 01274 692586.

Send entries to Poetry Competition, Yorkshire Water, External Communications, Western House, Western Way, Halifax Road, Bradford BD6 2LZ or email them to steven.parsley@ yorkshirewater.co.uk