PUPILS from Rougemont School in Newport got versed in the art of poetry by one of Wales’ best poets to celebrate National Poetry Day.

The six pupils spent the morning at John Lewis in Cardiff, taking part in workshops led by Rhian Edwards, an award-winning Welsh poet.

Ms Edwards was given the John Tripp Award for Spoken Poetry in 2011, winning both the judges’ and the audience’s award, making her Wales’ best performance poet.

In association with Literature Wales, John Lewis commissioned Ms Edwards to spend a day in the store encouraging the pupils, and the shoppers, to find their ‘inner muse’.

The Rougemont pupils wrote poems about objects they saw in store, as well as on the subject of ‘home’.

Harriett Kennerley, 16, from Usk, said: “Today’s event was brilliant. Meeting Rhian really gave me a new appreciation of poetry. I think the event was great , it has been such a rewarding experience. I can’t wait for the next workshop.”

Ms Edwards said: “I was seriously impressed by the quality of writing by the Rougemont School pupils, who embraced the day with complete enthusiasm.”