A DARLINGTON schoolboy is celebrating after winning first prize in a regional poetry competition.

Matthew Gosling, ten, a pupil of Mowden Junior School was awarded a certificate, some books and a £50 book token for winning the ten to 11 years category in the Ottaker's book store poetry competition.

The poem, called Summer versus Autumn, likens the changing of the seasons to a football match, with autumn coming out as the eventual winner.

"It is quite a clever little poem with some good play on words," said Mowden headteacher Brian Watkinson.

"He enjoys poetry a lot and writes it at home. He was very chuffed to win the award and apparently his parents and grandmother are very proud."