The Newham Recorder has once again joined forces with the Royal British Legion to give local people the chance to show their talents, pay tribute to those who gave their lives in battle so we can enjoy the freedom we have today – and win a prize.

Our annual Remembrance poetry competition has produced some excellent work in the past and we hope this year’s will be equally successful.

To mark Remembrance Sunday, on November 13, we want writers to compose a poem about the fallen of both World Wars and other conflicts. There are two age groups, upto 16 and for adults 16 and over. The Recorder and the Legion’s East Ham and District branch are running the contest to honour those who sacrificed their lives.

The inaugural competition in 2003 was a great success, as were the subsequent years.

We hope you will be inspired again this autumn to write about your feelings.

Writers of the two best poems in both age groups will receive Tesco gift tokens to the value of �50 and �25 supplied by the Recorder.

In a tradition that has now become a special part of the annual Remembrance Day Service at the East Ham Cenotaph in High Street South, winners will have the chance to read their poems out in public.

Legion branch spokesman Ken Hill said: “Our members would love to see and hear what both young people and adults feel about the fallen.

“The reading of poems during the wreath-laying and other parts of the service is an emotional part of the event.”

You have until this Sunday to submit entries, either by post to: Remembrance Sunday Poetry Competition, The Editor, Colin Grainger, Newham and Stratford Recorders, Media House, 539 High Road, Ilford, 1G1 1UD, or you can e-mail them to colin.grainger@newhamrecorder.co.uk.