BUDDING Bolton poets are being urged to put pen to paper for National Poetry day

Soft drinks giant Vimto -- which promotes its fruity drink with verse penned by cartoon poet Purple Ronnie -- is searching for budding young writers to pen a Vimto-style poem as part of National Poetry Day on October 7.

In celebration of the big event, Vimto is teaming up with more than 1,000 junior schools across the UK to find a lyricist worthy of the crown of Vimto Young Poet of the Year 2004.

Parents of budding writers can also encourage their youngsters to enter by dreaming up a poem about something they love taking inspiration from the letters V.I.M.T.O.

The winner of the competition will have their poem made into a very special advert still with Purple Ronnie reading out their words, along with a year's supply of Vimto.

The competition is open to children under 16 years of age. Budding poets should send in their rhymes along with a postcard detailing name, age, address and telephone number to: 'Vimto Poetry', c/o Brazen, Virginia House, Great Ancoats Street, Manchester M4 5AD. Poets can log on to www.vimto.co.uk for more information. Deadline for entries is October 1.

Vimto spokesperson Claire Nield explains: "Vimto fanatic Purple Ronnie wrote a poem about his favourite drink (for inspiration see below!) but we want youngsters to use the letters V.I.M.T.O as a starting point -- and then let their imagination roam free."

'V.I.M.T.O -- A Song About Vimto By Purple Ronnie'

'V - Very Scrummy!',

'I - It's So Fruity!',

'M - Makes My Bum Burp!',

'T - Tastes Fantastic!',

'Oooooooooooo!'

Created in 1908, Vimto's top-secret recipe includes a mix of three fruit juices -- grape, blackcurrant and raspberry along with a blend of 23 fruit essences, herbs and spices. Purple Ronnie became Vimto's spokesperson in 1997 and has been singing and dancing about it ever since.

All entries will be judged by Vimto's expert panel. The panel will pick winners from across 10 regions who will be invited to take part in the final on National Poetry Day where they will be asked to read their poem in front of the judges.

The winner of the competition will have their poem made into a very special advert still with Purple Ronnie reading out their words, along with a year's supply of their favourite Vimto drink.

The Vimto Poetry competition is open to children under 16 years of age. Budding poets should send in their rhymes along with a postcard detailing name, age, address and telephone number to: 'Vimto Poetry', c/o Brazen, Virginia House, Great Ancoats Street, Manchester M4 5AD. Poets can log on to www.vimto.co.uk for more information. Deadline for entries is October 1.