A poetry competition with Charles Dickens as the theme has been launched by Manchester’s Portico library. The deadline for entries is 31 July, and there will be two awards; the Portico poetry prize and the Portico young poetry prize. Entry for the former is £4 plus £2.50 for each poem after; the latter is free. There's a cash prize for the Portico Poetry Prize and the Young Poetry Prize winner will be named Portico Young Poet of the Year and an opportunity to be anthologised and published. The Portico poetry prize will be judged by Mandy Coe; the Portico young poetry Prize will be judged by Richy Campbell, Lisa Mansell and Krishan Coupland. More details of how to enter at www.porticolibrary.blogspot.com