FURNITURE retailer Barker and Stonehouse is taking inspiration and creativity to another level in celebration of next month's National Poetry Day.

The company has installed a "creative wall" in each of its six stores in Darlington, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Gateshead, Knaresborough and Leeds, to encourage more people to explore their creativity.

Staff and customers are being invited to let their poetry talents come to the fore by focusing on emotions stimulated by the home environment.

James Barker, retail director, said: "We recognise that life is more than just the daily grind and that words and prose can have a calming effect on people.

"Just as music can soothe the soul, so, too, can poetry. It is a form of self-expression just like interior design, so we have taken the unusual route of incorporating prose into our forthcoming activities."

There is no age restriction on the creative wall. Anyone can take part, and those who do may have the opportunity to see their work in print, because the company plans to produce postcards of the most inspirational submissions.

There will also be an opportunity to win copies of The Nation's Favourite Poems, edited by comedian Gryff Rhys Jones.