A FORMER Rover worker will soon be penning poetry for residents of two villages after becoming the first parish poet in the country.

Giovianni Esposito was appointed parish poet for Lickey and Blackwell at their last parish council meeting. Known as Spoz, he gave a talk at the meeting, introducing himself to councillors and performing his poem Disco Dad. The former Rover worker has found a new career in poetry working in schools throughout Bromsgrove and Birmingham, following the demise of the company.

His poems include Big Cats, The Peace of Cake Poem and I Met Jesus at St Andrew's Football Stadium.

He said he was "flattered" at the opportunity having worked as Birmingham's poet Laureate in 2006.

The former Rover worker and award-winning poet will be invited to official engagements and write poems to be published in the parish council's newsletter and website. Councillor Lesley Stanhope said it had kudos, being the first parish council in the country to have a poet.

The council agreed to make it a year-long appointment with the option to renew or withdraw on both sides, and to pay for his mileage expenses. Giovianni's first poem will feature in the next parish council newsletter.