Poet scoops major literary prize

Tony Harrison is one of the country's leading poets

A leading northern poet has won a £60,000 literary prize at a prestigious ceremony in Newcastle.

Tony Harrison, who was born in Leeds, scooped the Northern Rock Foundation Writer Award.

Mr Harrison is one of Britain's leading poets and has written for London's National Theatre and the New York Metropolitan Opera.

The award honours literary achievement and supports writers in maximising their creativity over three years.

'Neglected projects'

Mr Harrison has published numerous collections of poetry, including, most recently, Laureate's Block, published by Penguin in 2000.

Mr Harrison has spent his life in the north of England and was the first Northern Arts Literary Fellow from 1967-8, and held the post again from 1976-7.

He said: "The Northern Rock Foundation Writer's Award could not have come at a better time in my career, when I need to look back on my poetic ventures and make sense of them as a whole and move forward.

"I have been aware over the last five years of a need to be still, to review my past work, and find the time and peace to return to neglected projects and finish work abandoned through lack of time and stillness.

"The award makes all this finally possible and I am extremely grateful to the Northern Rock Foundation."

One of the judges, Blake Morrison, said: "Tony Harrison is one of the finest poets in the English language and it is terrific to see him getting due financial recognition at last."