POETRY based on the legend of a native American girl's encounter with a British sailor was read to an eager audience by a distant descendant at the weekend.

Sandi Russell, an American who has lived in Durham for the past 18 years, is part Chickahominy Indian through her mother's blood-line.

The most famous tribal figure from history is probably Pocahontas, the young native American who legend has it begged her father to spare the life of the captured British sea captain John Smith, in Jamestown, Virginia, in the 17th Century.

Pocahontas was eventually brought to Britain and married another English nobleman before her death in Kent. Her grave remains in an old cemetery in Gravesend.

Sandi's verse on the story of Pocahontas was one of several works she recited at a poetry reading event in Durham at the weekend.

Staged as a follow on from Thursday's National Poetry Day, it featured readings by 12 other poets, including another Durham-based American, noted wordsmith Anne Stevenson.

It was held at Durham University's Palace Green Library, home to the Basil Bunting Poetry Centre, which celebrates the works of a former North-East journalist whose work is only now being celebrated, 17 years after his death.

The library recently launched an exhibition featuring Bunting's poetry and old photographs taken during his lifetime.

Into the Lens can be viewed until November 15 at the library, which is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday and Friday, from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, and 2pm to 5pm on Sunday. Free admission.