A COLLECTION of poems written by a Darlington nurse is being launched.

Mel McEvoy, 53, a palliative care nurse in Darlington for nearly 20 years, is releasing his first volume of poetry, entitled An Emptied Space.

They have been written during his time as a nurse, but also draw on his experience as the son of Irish immigrants in a working-class community and his religious life, as well as his work in end-oflife care.

Mr McEvoy said: “These poems are intended to help us deal with the inevitability of death, through showing the innate strength of the people who are facing it. I hope to have captured what we can all be taught about life from these people.”

The collection has been released by publishers Mudfog, who specialise in promoting new Tees Valley writers.

Mr McEvoy will give readings of his work at the Centuria Building Small Lecture Theatre, at Teesside University, today at 6pm. The event is free.