York will host a series of poetry events next week as part of the celebrations for National Poetry Day on Thursday.

Yorkshire based poet John Siddique has used the comings and goings of people at York Minster and his observations at Westfield Primary School to create his very own Book Of Hours. The medieval prayer book was based on the monastic hours and guided worshippers in prayer throughout the day.

Poetry lovers will also get the chance to hear some of John's new work at a reading in the biography room at York Library tomorrow at 7pm. Admission is free.

Poetry will also feature in the city's Light Night event on Friday, which forms the culmination of the regional Illuminate festival.

From early evening, Read Write York, the council's literature development initiative, will be leading the celebrations with a unique poets and pints tour starting from the Central Library at 6.30pm.

York-based poets Miles Salter and Oz Hardwick will celebrate with readings at the library, before setting off to perform their works in pubs around the city. The library itself will be open until 10.30pm for the first time in its history.

Reading groups in York will also be able to make the most of October, with a special poetry pack created by the Poetry Library in London.

The pack contains a series of poems for the groups to keep, read and evaluate, all selected by poets taking part in the Poetry International Festival.

Any reading group who would like one should phone Anne Mortimer on 01904 554316.