Budding poets are being asked to drill for rhymes amid the world of offshore contracts, oil and gas installations and wind energy ahead of this year's Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival.

Budding poets are being asked to drill for rhymes amid the world of offshore contracts, oil and gas installations and wind energy ahead of this year's Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival.

In an effort to chip away at misconceptions that poetry is highbrow and difficult, festival organisers are inviting local folk to pen a piece inspired by the offshore industry - a subject not generally noted for being profound or lyrical.

Festival chairman Aileen Mobbs said she was buoyed by the success of last year's competition, which drew 24 entrants on the subject of the sea and all things maritime.

Although this year's theme was likely to be more challenging, Mrs Mobbs said Yarmouth had already proved it was more than capable of rising to the poetic challenge.

Poems could range from witty ditties to limericks, colourful couplets and vivid verse inspired by the offshore theme.

Mrs Mobbs said: “This is the second year we have done it, and the first time it went really well, with at least six poems that could easily have won. It just gives people something different to work on.

“This year, because we are having an offshore marquee for people to find out about what goes on, we thought it would be good to appeal for offshore poems. There is a lot of material there, like drilling and digging, all the jobs, windfarms... It is such a major part of the economy of the town and without it we would be struggling. The offshore industry is unappreciated.”

The winning poem will be read out at the closing ceremony of the festival and published in the Mercury. The winner will also enjoy VIP treatment on the day and receive a festival goody bag.

Closing date for entries is Monday, July 26.

Send your efforts to: Offshore Poetry Competition, The Mercury, 169 King Street, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2PA.

The maritime festival takes place on September 4 and 5 on South Quay.