A DELIGHTED West Hill woman has won a regional award in a prestigious poetry competition. Janet Beardsall, retired, of Lower Broadoak Road, found out on Monday she has been selected as a South West winner in the United Press National Poetry Anthology comp

A DELIGHTED West Hill woman has won a regional award in a prestigious poetry competition.

Janet Beardsall, retired, of Lower Broadoak Road, found out on Monday she has been selected as a South West winner in the United Press National Poetry Anthology competition.

Her successful poem, Stopping on the journey, was chosen from hundreds of entries and is now published in the 2009 anthology.

She said: "I am very pleased. Since I began writing poems I have had four poems published in this anthology."

At the end of January the national champion of the competition will be announced, and he or she will be awarded a cash prize of £1,000.

Peter Quinn, Managing Director of United Press, said: "The competition is designed to encourage more people to get involved in the wonderful world of poetry and express themselves as well as they possibly can.

"The art of expression is something we are losing in this commercial age and we really enjoy running this competition."

Janet has already had 18 poems and two poetry books published.

Her first book, To Tish, with Love, was to commemorate her son's fiancée, Tish, who died in 2004.

She added: "I decided to write it as a memento to her because she was so lovely.

"All of the money from the book went to Great Ormond Street as she was a patient there."

Janet has also raised over £1,000 for Hospiscare with sales from her second poetry book, To Mum, with Love.

The book (£4.99) can be bought from local Hospiscare shops, Paragon Books in Sidmouth and Curious Otter in Ottery St Mary.