An annual poetry trail and competition is branching out to take in the other areas of the island.

The organisers of the Isle of Man Poetry Society poetry trail have announced that they are to hold a ’Triple Trail’, with extra poetry trails running in Peel and Ramsey alongside the larger trail which runs through the centre of Douglas.

Up until now, the trail, which features a series of poems submitted by local writers, was located solely in Douglas and sees between 10 to 12 poems hung in the windows of businesses, creating a walking trail through Douglas.

However, organisers decided that they wanted to extend the trail and incorporate more areas of the island.

The new mini-trails will feature five poems in each new location and will also be displayed in shop windows around each town.

The length of the trail has also been extended from four weeks to six, and will now run from Wednesday, September 15 to Saturday, October 30.

’The purpose of the trail is to generate interest in the Litfest and promote poetry and literature in the Isle of Man,’ said trail organiser Bethany De Legh-Runciman.

’I decided to create new trails in Peel and Ramsey as I wanted the event to more inclusive of the rest of the island.

’Many of the poets who submit to the trail come from these towns, so it is nice for them to have the chance to have their work displayed there.

’This also means that, instead of having 10 winners, we will now have 20.’

There is still time for poets to enter their poems for the trail.

Entry forms can be found online at the IoM Poetry Trail Facebook page, by phoning or texting 481792 or by emailing [email protected]

Entries cost £3.50 per poem and they must be no longer than 25 lines, excluding the title.

The deadline for submissions is on Thursday, July 1, although Bethany is happy to describe this as a ’flexible date’ and will accept submissions after the date within reason.

Bethany hopes to create a special children’s poetry trail in time for next year’s event.