A POET is ‘prescribing’ prose as a remedy to peoples’ problems at a unique clinic.

National Poetry Day and Forward Poetry Prize founder William Sieghart will be explaining the benefits of reading poetry on Monday, February 10, in Hartlepool Central Library, York Road, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

He will then be offering 10-minute ‘consultations’ and suggesting a poem to suit whatever issue they have, whether physical, emotional or spiritual at the Poetry Prescriptions event.

He said: “People find a sense of companionship in poetry. They find a complicity with what they feel but don’t necessarily have the language to express themselves.

Mr Sieghart founded Forward Publishing based in London and was a member of the Arts Council and Chairman of its Lottery Committee. He is now Chairman of the Arts Foundation, StreetSmart and the Forward Arts Foundation.

To book a free place for Poetry Prescriptions call Hartlepool Central Library on 01429-272905.