The deadline for entries for a children's poetry competition is fast approaching - and youngsters have been encouraged to put pen to paper.

The EDP and Briar Chemicals' Young Poets of the Year contest has returned this year for the 13th time, encouraging young people to tap into their creative side.

This year's theme is planet Earth, with children from Norfolk and north Suffolk asked to take inspiration from their natural surroundings, and the deadline to enter is Friday, July 21 - now less than a month away.

The final stage judge for this year's competition, which was launched in May, is evolutionary biologist and television presenter Ben Garrod, who has presented shows including Attenborough and the Giant Dinosaur and his award-winning Secrets of Bones series.

Tim Green, site manager at the Norwich-based Briar Chemicals, said: 'The competition is aimed to encourage children to think creatively about science and this year's theme inspires them to explore their surroundings.'

It is part of the firm's Science in Schools programme, which aims to make learning about science fun.

There are two age categories for budding poets, eight to nine-year-olds and 10 to 11-year-olds.

The winner of each age category will receive £100 and each of their schools will be given £500 courtesy of Briar Chemicals, which will also donate £500 to support Mr Garrod's chosen charity, the Marine Conservation Society.

Winners will be announced around National Poetry Day in September, and will have the chance to spend a morning at the EDP.

Other judges this year include Prof Anne Osbourn, of the John Innes Centre and founder of the Science Art and Writing (SAW) Trust, Lauren Cope of the EDP and Sarah Piercy from Briar Chemicals.

Schools across Norfolk and north Suffolk have received the forms needed to take part.

For more information about the competition, email poetry.competition@briarchemicals.com

Briar Chemicals has been shortlisted for the UK's Chemical Industry Associations Reputation Award for their community involvement.

• Do you have a schools story? Email lauren.cope@archant.co.uk