An award-winning young people’s laureate for London is encouraging 13 to 25-year-olds in Sutton to join her new campaign and first tour.

Spread the Word's Momtaza Mehri wants young people to be part of her “Be My Next Inspiration” movement.

The 24-year-old will be headlining a week-long outer London borough tour in libraries in a bid to motivate young people to write and connect with poetry.

This will be at Sutton Central Library, in St Nicholas Way on October 27, where there will be free workshops for attendees.

Guests will include fellow poet Deanna Rodger, rapper Rob Bradley, and champion beatboxer Bellatrix.

After the workshops there will be performances by Mehri and Bradley, with an open mic session, enabling people to have a chance to create and perform.

Mehri, a Somali-British poet and essayist, won the 2018 Brunel International African Poetry Prize and was honoured with last year’s Out-Spoken Page award.

She said: “I’m excited by the forthcoming tour. I’m looking forward to seeing the different flavours the young poets and producers in Sutton will bring to workshops and events.

“It’s important for young Londoners to recognise that they too shape this city and their borough. The tour is a way for them to create a thriving poetry culture wherever they live.

“All it takes is some inspiration, a few friends and passion. Poetry needs young people."

The tour runs from October 22 to 27, Monday through to Saturday.

The “Be My Next Inspiration“ campaign by Spread the Word, developed in collaboration with creative agency BUREAU, aims to help young people access young poetry.

Spread the Word director Ruth Harrison said: “We have teamed up with BUREAU for this year’s Young People's Laureate for London Tour under the theme “Be My Next Inspiration“ to support, develop and profile young poetic talent and to inspire young people to read, watch and listen to poetry - and to create their own.

“The campaign is inviting everyone to be part of a conversation by showcasing the value of words, how to get your voices heard and how to make a difference.”

To get tickets, click here.