IT was hard for a shellshocked poet to find the right words to describe how delighted she was to be named the county's poet laureate.

Heather Wastie, from Kidderminster, admitted she had not prepared a speech after it was announced she had won the title at The Guildhall.

Instead, she said she "waffled" while at the podium but said she was thrilled to be named Worcestershire poet laureate 2015.

Ms Wastie, who entered I Had a Gift and Summer Meal on a French Hillside into the competition, said: "I didn't believe it until they said my name.

"My husband was clapping my knee and saying "It's going to be you" but until they said the words I wouldn't believe it.

"I hadn't prepared a speech so I waffled a bit.

"I was a bit shellshocked.

"I'm feeling wonderful about it - I'm really tired because I haven't had any sleep."

It took a lot of hard work for Ms Wastie and the other finalists - Tony Shadforth, Suz Winspear, Damon Lord, Betti Moretti and Nina Lewis - to get to Friday's final.

People entered two poems anonymously along with a summary of what they would do as laureate before the poets who made the long list were given a ten minute interview.

Talking about what she plans to do during her year as laureate, Ms Wastie said: "This isn't just about me, it is about all poets out there as well as finding those people who are poets behind closed doors.

"I want to spread the message further that poetry is nothing to be afraid of and can achieve so many things.

"It can celebrate as in birthday cards or advertise, we see poetry used on television a lot.

"It's much more widely spread than people think."

Maggie Doyle, Worcestershire poet laureate emeritus, said she empathised with the six finalists having been a finalist on two occasions.

"However, nerves did not seem to bother them and excellent performances were delivered to an eager audience. "The hard part came when the judges retired to consider their winning candidate.

"This is the third time I have been one of the judging panel, and it was the hardest to judge by far.

"The judges were not just looking for a poet who could write and perform, but also for someone who would be an ambassador for the festival as well as poetry.

"We are delighted Heather put herself up for Worcestershire Poet Laureate and we look forward to the next twelve months."

Worcestershire Literary Festival has got off to a fantastic launch with a full house at the opening night while Alison May held an intimate two hour workshop at St John's Library to an audience of aspiring writers.

Ms Wastie will be appearing in Rubber Swordplay at St Swithun's Institute, The Trinity on Tuesday at 7pm while a The 42 Festival Special and civil war novelist Katherine Clements will be taking place on Wednesday.

For a full programme, log on to http://worcslitfest.co.uk.