HRH Princess Michael of Kent will be judging a newly launched Peace Hospice Care poetry competition that will give entrants an opportunity to see their work published in an anthology.

The Hospice is calling on the community to start writing and submit their poems on the theme of "Love and Loss".

The best entries will be included in an anthology that will be sold to raise funds for Peace Hospice Care. A first prize will be awarded.

Princess Michael of Kent, the Royal President of Peace Hospice Care, was delighted to accept the invitation to be part of the project.

On her last visit to Peace Hospice Care in May 2014 she had spent time chatting to patients about her passion for poetry.

She said: "I very much enjoy poetry and I look forward to reading the entries.

"This is going to be a wonderful opportunity for the community and those associated with the hospice to create and share their words and emotions.

"Writing is a wonderful positive outlet of expression and I hope entrants find some sense of comfort from writing poetry about their experiences."

Poems should be no more than 20 lines and entry forms can be downloaded at www.peacehospicecare.org.uk.

The completed entry form and poem can be posted to: Poetry Competition, Peace Hospice Care, Peace Drive, Watford, Herts, WD17 3PH or emailed to: jchilds@peacehospicecare.org.uk (write "Poetry" in subject of your email.

Entries must be received by Saturday, June 28, and entrants under 18 must state their age.

An anthology will be launched and published in September 2015 and prior to the publication a number of chosen poems may be used as part of Dying Matters Awareness Week.