Ledbury Poetry Festival has announced the winners of its 2019 International Poetry Competition.

First Prize has been won by Elisabeth Murawski for her poem 'Duplex'. Judge Daljit Nagra praised the poem’s “compressed images” and “succinct lyric mood”.

Elisabeth who hails from Virginia, USA says of the win: “I am overwhelmed and delighted”.

Elisabeth wins £1000 alongside a residential course at Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre and an invitation to read at the competition winners’ event in the 2020 Festival.

Second Prize goes to Sarah Wimbush with her poem “Bloodlines”, and Third Prize to Denise Bundred with “Anatomy Theatre”.

Sarah and Denise win £500 and £250 respectively, and are also invited to read at the winners’ event in 2020.

Sarah said: “It’s thrilling to win the nod of approval from one of my poetry heroes, Daljit Nagra, especially in such an iconic poetry competition as the Ledbury, I'm looking forward to reading my poem at the 2020 Festival.”