A poetry competition has been launched to celebrate how important grandparents really are.

Beechwood Park, an award-winning Brio Retirement Living development in Stow, has announced the competition ahead of Grandparents Day on Sunday, October 6.

The competition is open to people of all ages, with the condition that the poetry must reflect on the significance of being or having a grandparent.

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Matt Cotton, general manager at the development, said: "We have many grandparents at our development here in Stow-on-the-Wold, and we welcome lots of their grandchildren too.

"The joy both generations bring to each other is immeasurable, and we’re celebrating this by asking locals to put their feelings down on paper in poem format."

In addition to the competition, the development is offering every grandparent in the area a free hot drink and cake or biscuit on Grandparents Day, between 10am and 12pm, as a token of appreciation.

Mr Cotton said: "We look forward to welcoming all grandparents to our onsite Slate & Grain brasserie, bar, and coffee lounge to receive their treat, and they can also enter our competition on the day, where one lucky grandparent will win a £50 M&S voucher."

The competition is open to nearby schools, community groups, and writers of all ages.

Submissions need to be handed in at the reception desk at the development by Sunday, October 27.

Winners will be announced the following week and will be awarded prizes, including a £100 Slate & Grain voucher for the winner and vouchers and writing sets for second and third places.

Mr Cotton added: "Our grandparents play a huge role in our lives.

"They are at the top of our family trees and come in all shapes and sizes, from paternal grandparents, step-grandparents, and those grandparents that are not blood-related but hold a very special place in our hearts.

"This competition is to celebrate all our grandparent figures, and we can’t wait to read the poems we receive."

The poems will be displayed at the development from Thursday, October 31 to Thursday, November 7 for the community to view.

The development is an age-exclusive community in Stow, offering a range of facilities and support packages for residents.