AT A RECENT AWARDS CEREMONY Barbados Tourism Authority vice-president of sales and marketing (Europe), Petra Roach, presented seven-year-old Edward Dutton with his first prize of a holiday to Barbados in Cancer Research UK's Pound A Poem competition.

Pound A Poem is a simple, educational and inspiring poetry competition for children aged seven to 11, that raises money for research into cancers affecting children.

It is supported by many public figures, including Prime Minister Tony Blair; and is promoted in schools. It focuses on healthy eating, literacy and citizenship.

As an incentive to encourage children to be aware of healthy eating, organisers of Pound A Poem asked schoolchildren to write a poem about fruit and vegetables and contribute £1 to enter the competition.

Over £70 000 was raised.

Duttons' piece The Pumpkin was about a pumpkin his father carved for Halloween.

Roach said: "Barbados Tourism Authority is delighted to support Cancer Research UK's Pound A Poem. It is a fantastic initiative that not only raises tens of thousands of pounds for cancer research but encourages children to use their imagination and write wonderful poems". (PR)