PACKED full of madcap characters and poetic prose, a Lymm poet is celebrating the publication of her first collection of children's poetry.

Helên Thomas has appeared regularly on the UK poetry circuit and has now had We Are Poets! published.

The book came about after she joined forces with primary school teacher Kate McGann in 2004 to devise two pieces of performance in schools - We Are Poets and We Are Poets Stuck In The Airport.

They proved so popular that teachers and children alike wanted them to appear in book form too.

She said: "I can honestly say that these poems have been well and truly road tested.

"Children love them!"

She has performed in venues ranging from schools to libraries and theatres to pubs as well as literary festivals such as the prestigious Cheltenham Festival of Literature.

The poems were written to meet some of the requirements of the National Literacy Strategy but Helên says she hasn't let that spoil the fun.

The anthology is jam-packed full of characters such as obese fruit bats, rock star maggots, myopic professors and lots of naughty, grubby, scabby children.

Helên's book is published by Mucusart Publications and is currently available to buy online for £5.99 incl. p&p.

l For more information about We Are Poets! performances and workshops, contact Helên via e-mail at Helen@thomas0.fsnet.co.uk or visit warringtonguardian.co.uk for more details. gdunning@guardinagrp.co.uk