Poets from more than 20 countries will be reading at a special World Poetry Day event in Preston on Wednesday 21 March. The free event is taking place at the Ham & Jam Coffee Shop, in Lancaster Road, Preston, starting at 7pm. It is being organised by Damson Poets and the University of Central Lancashire’s Confucius Institute.

Among many other events taking place on World Poetry Day – not to be confused with our own National Poetry Day – there’s World Poetry Day on Stage at the Under Ground theatre beneath Eastbourne library. It starts at 7pm. More details and Map.

And Write Out Loud poets will be taking part at Stockport art gallery on Wednesday when pupils from three schools visit from 1-3pm. Members of Stockport Write Out Loud have been asked to help set up a workshop and give a short reading on the day.