DUDLEY canal enthusiasts are offering creative young people the chance of a day trip in a class of its own.

Young poets and artists and up to 50 schoolmates will be able to take a daytrip on the new Under and Over Dudley tour, a joint trip by Dudley Canal Trust Trips and Wren’s Nest Nature Reserve, if they are successful in the Trust’s Creative Canals competition.

The UK’s poet laureate for canals, Jo Bell, will be head judge for poetry submissions and Black Country canal artist, Julie Tonkin, will lead the artistic judging panel.

June Hodgetts, from Dudley Canal Trust Trips, said: “We hope to pique the children’s interest in canals, as well as give them a focus to show their creative side.”

Children between five and 11 can submit an ‘on the canal’ themed artwork, or a poem entitled ‘creature on the canal’.

Winners will be picked for each category for the five to seven and eight to 11 age groups.

The competition is also open to recognised groups including scouts and guides.

Teachers and group leaders can download a full competition pack from www.dudleycanaltrust.co.uk and the deadline for entries is the end of February.