A TALENTED youngster who took second place in a national poetry competition was presented with his prize by famous children s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson. Newport Primary School pupil Leon Bozianu, 10, wowed the judges with his poem Apple Tree which bea

A TALENTED youngster who took second place in a national poetry competition was presented with his prize by famous children's author Dame Jacqueline Wilson.

Newport Primary School pupil Leon Bozianu, 10, wowed the judges with his poem Apple Tree which beat more than 5000 other entries for the runner-up spot in the Pound a Poem competition.

Teacher Jude Savill said: "Leon is an incredibly talented pupil and the whole school is very proud of how well he did. His Year 5 class mates were so thrilled at his success that we got very little work done the day the announcement was made!"

Former Children's Laureate Dame Jacqueline - author of best-selling books including the Tracey Beaker series - said she had been impressed with Leon's poem and presented him with an iPod Nano.

Pound a Poem is a competition for five to 11 year olds and raises money for the charity Rays of Sunshine which grants wishes to terminally and seriously ill children.

Pupils were asked to write a poem about fruit and vegetables and pay �1 to enter into the competition.

Headteacher Jane Detnon said: "Here at Newport Primary School we strive to provide as many opportunities as possible for our children to become confident, independent and collaborative learners.

"The quality of Leon's poem is a credit not only to his ability, but to the teachers who work with him and all of his peers on a day-to-day basis to encourage them to make the most of their learning journey."

Leon travelled with his family, teacher, and headteacher to the prize-giving ceremony at the Royal Society of Medicine in London.

The final 16 poems were judged by a guest panel including Dame Jacqueline, Annabel Karmel, Dom Wood, James Campbell, Dan Freedman and Tracy Ann Oberman.

Leon's winning poem is below:

Apple Tree

I'm lonely against the raging wind,

No leaves on my bare bones.

Warmth thawing,

I'm growing again,

I flick out my buds to the cool open air.

My petals can see the sun.

I can feel the spring breeze.

Infinitesimally small beginnings

Evolving into apples that you can gourmandize,

Savour the tantalizing taste of fruity lusciousness;

Mouth wateringly scrumptious.