Poetry festival for culture city

Roger McGough and Brian Patten perform 'from the crypt'

Some of Liverpool's most celebrated poets are coming together as the city hosts its first ever poetry festival.

Poetry In The City, which is launched on Sunday, has been organised as part of the city's preparations for its year as Capital of Culture in 2008.

Poets Roger McGough and Brian Patten will perform a special one-off show, called Live In The Crypt, on Friday.

The festival's programme also includes readings and workshops for unpublished poets of all ages and abilities.

The 'crypt' event is to take place in the city's Roman Catholic Cathedral.

Poetry is an intrinsic part of the city's cultural make up Cllr Warren Bradley

Mr Patten said: ''Roger and I are really looking forward to this live performance.

"It's always a thrill to perform in your home town, and the venue of the crypt is fantastic.

"We're also excited by the city hosting an annual poetry festival. It will help unearth many voices which can only enrich the city - especially in 2008.''

Councillor Warren Bradley, Executive council Member for Culture, said: ''Liverpool is blessed with celebrated poets and I'm delighted we are developing a platform to celebrate such a vibrant and creative community.

"Poetry is an intrinsic part of the city's cultural make up."

Allen Fisher, South Asian poet Shamshad Kahn and bilingual poets from Liverpool's Circle of Literary Friends will also be performing over the next two weeks.