Funny poems written by schoolchildren have received praise by two renowned authors in a county competition.

Pupils from St. Martin’s Preparatory School for boys, in Northwood, took part in a poetry writing competition which were judged the by children’s author Pete Johnson, and Ali Sparkes.

The results were announced by Sheryl Shurville and Penny Pugh from Chorleywood Bookshop, on May 2, during assembly.

The theme the children had to write about was Laughter, and 431 entries from 22 schools were submitted, especially in the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire areas.

Three Year 7 pupils, Kemji Munro-Lall, Zain Khan and Jay Samani, were highly commended in the Key Stage 3 category and the school won best overall in the Key Stage 2 category.

Muhammed Aqeel Mavani won First prize, Oscar Williams was awarded Second place and Kian Lakhani won the Special Prize for Outstanding Effort.

Oscar Williams, Muhammed Aqeel Mavani and Kian Lakhani with Sheryl Shurville and Penny Pugh

Ealing Times:

Pete Johnson, said: “There were so many outstanding entries it made picking the winners extremely difficult.”

Of the First prize winner, he said: “This acrostic made me laugh out loud! It is brilliantly inventive, drawing on a rich variety of comic scenes. An outstanding celebration of humour in literature.”

Of Second place, Mr Johnson said: “This is a really lively and funny acrostic, with an excellent range of humorous examples. Original, stylish and very satisfying.”

Of the Special Prize, he added: “Dazzlingly presented in glorious 3D. This is a tremendous effort and a superb achievement which deserves recognition. The comic spirit is vividly celebrated here.”

Of the competition, 11-year-old Kemji Munro-Lall, said: “The thought that a real author, Ali Sparkes had judged my story completely blew me away.”

Oscar Williams, 11, said: “I was exhilarated that out of all the entries I was awarded second place overall.”