Retired police officer David Burges has won a regional poetry contest.

Mr Burges, of Orchard Road, Chippenham, beat off hundreds of amateur rivals to be named regional winner for the South West Vintage Inns Pub Poet competition.

Mr Burges penned the poem, called Kews Gold, on behalf of The Globe in Newton St Loe.

He said: “As a retiree, I have time to write a few poems about things that take my fancy and I have penned about 25.

“The Pub Poet was something that interested me, The Globe with its Shakespeare connection seemed obvious and the gold of Kew Gold beer was the link to Wordsworth’s golden daffodils.

“My wife Pam and I have relatives in Bath and Bristol, so The Globe has become a popular stopping place for refreshment.”

Mr Burges will now represent the region against 23 other entrants from pubs across the UK.

The overall winner will get a VIP weekend trip to London, a case of Kew Gold beer and a champagne picnic in Kew Gardens.

To vote for Mr Burges, log onto www.vintageinn.co.uk/offer/pubpoetvote