A 14-year-old girl from Royston has received a special commendation in an international poetry competition.

Jazmine Brett’s poem, entitled The Treerific Amputree, was sent in to be judged alongside nearly 11,000 other poems in the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award.

The Meridian School student learned she had achieved commended poet status on Tuesday last week.

She said: “When I found out I felt so excited, and couldn’t believe I did it”

And mum Denise said: “I’m so proud of Jazmine – what she has achieved is absolutely incredible.”

Judges Daljit Nagra and former winner Caroline Bird chose 15 winners and 85 commended poets from nearly 6,000 poets and nearly 11,000 poems.

Writers from 83 different countries entered the competition, from as far afield as Trinidad and Tobago, Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Malaysia.

The Treerific Amputree

By Jazmine Brett

“My goodness,” I said to it. “How on earth did you end up like that?” I was truly stumped.

“You what?” The tree replied in Scottish accent that sounded Scottish.

“How did you become an amputree?” I asked.

He tree sighed before replying “just leaf me alone.”

“Oak Kay.” I replied.

“Look,” he said. “I’m sorry for snapping at you like that, but can we please stop the tree jokes?”

“I’m sorry.” I said. “I’m just a sap for tree jokes.

“Its alright,” an awkward silence lingered before the tree broke it again. “You know what?” He said.

“What? I asked, intreeged.

“I think,” he paused.

“What, what do you think? I’m intreeged,”

“We have amazing chemistree.”

“What do you mean?” I replied.

“I think... I think I’m ln love with you.” The tree said.

“You’re barking mad,” I told him. “How did you end up as an amputee?”

“Do you want me to tell you honestree?” The tree asked me. I nodded. “I’m not an amputree. I’m just a fat treenager.

“I’m gonna leaf.” I say walking away awkwardly. “Tree you later.”