A WOMAN'S poetry has been shortlisted for a major prize - thanks to help from a Huddersfield arts group.
Jane Routh is in the running for a national prize two years after winning a competition run by publishers The Poetry Business, which is based in Byram Arcade.
The Lancashire poet has been shortlisted for the Forward best first collection prize, which will be announced on October 8.
Two other writers connected with The Poetry Business - Catherine Smith and Daljit Nagra - have had their work singled out as a Poetry Society recommendation.
The Poetry Business holds regular writing workshops and competitions.
It also publishes a twice-yearly magazine, The North, together with books under the Smith/Doorstop imprint.
Co-director Peter Sansom said: "This is welcome recognition and a wonderful reward for a great team effort.
"It can only add to Huddersfield's growing reputation as a centre of creative excellence," he added.
The Poetry Business is supported with a Kirklees Council grant worth nearly £10,000.
Money also comes from the Arts Council of England.
John Lyons, another writer connected with the Huddersfield enterprise, has been named arts achiever of the year in the Wind- rush 2003 Achievement Awards.
The awards, presented at London's Intercontinental Hotel, recognise talent among the African, Caribbean, Asian and oriental communities.
Jean Harrison, from Settle, a regular at The Poetry Business's writing days, has had a poem shortlisted for a Forward prize.
Another poet, Gerard Benson, just missed out on the New Children's Poetry Book Award, given by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education.
