A POETRY competition is being held to mark 300 years since the birth of a leading poet.

The Stoke Poges Society has launched its third annual poetry competition as part of the celebrations for the tercentenary of Thomas Gray’s birth this year.

Thomas Gray’s poem, Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard, was inspired following visits to St Giles Church in the village, and instantly recognised as a classic after being published in 1751. Gray was also buried in a tomb in the churchyard, which was restored in 2013 as part of the anniversary project.

There is open class and school class categories for this year’s competition, with the open class entries being judged by poet Daljit Nagra, whose debut poetry collection Look We Have Coming to Dover! won the 2007 Forward Prize for Best First Collection and the South Bank Show Decibel Award.

He said: “Gray’s elegy is fascinating for the way it opens portals for imaginative freedom. Entrants should feel inspired to see the modern world anew by the range of the many-angled quotation.”

Prizes totalling £750 will be divided among the winning entrants. Entries can be made online via www.thomasgray2016.org.