Schoolchildren will be able to explore far-flung corners of the globe through poetry as a long-running competition returns.

The EDP and Briar Chemicals' Young Poets of the Year contest will return to the region's schools this month for its 13th year.

It will be themed around planet Earth, with youngsters asked to take their inspiration from their surroundings and write creatively about their perception of the world.

The final stage judge for this year's competition will be evolutionary biology and television presenter Ben Garrod, who has presented shows including Attenborough and the Giant Dinosaur, with Sir David Attenborough, and his award-winning Secrets of Bones series.

The competition is part of Norwich-based Briar's Science in Schools programme, which aims to make science learning fun as well as informative.

Tim Green, site manager at the firm, said: 'Children are intrigued about their surroundings from an early age.

'This competition encourages them to use their imagination, helping create an interest and understanding of how science is all around us in our everyday life.'

The competition has two age categories – 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 receive £500, courtesy of Briar Chemicals.

The firm will also donate £500 to support Mr Garrod's chosen charity, the Marine Conservation Society.

Final stage judges this year will be 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.

The closing date for the entries is July 21, with the winners announced around National Poetry Day in September.

The winners will also have the opportunity to spend a morning at the EDP.

Schools across Norfolk and north Suffolk will soon be receiving forms to take part.

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

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

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