Over 2,000 youngsters across the town will be getting ready to participate in the event that helps children increase their enjoyment of poetry, develop their self-confidence and capacity to speak in public. It hopes to build community cohesion by bringing together schools and performers from across the borough.

Children will range from four to eleven years old and will be performing a wide range of poems, some new, serious and many of them humerous.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Oldham Metro, around 60,000 children have taken part in the festival since it began in 1985. 

Special guests will include, The Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Javid Iqbal and Mayoress Tasleem Akhtar.

For some children this is their first time on the stage. Each performance is judged by international adjudicator, Ann Warr.

There will be various sessions, Tuesday 19th March; 9:30am-10:45, 11:15am-12:30, 1:15pm-2:30, Thursday 21st; 9:30am-10:45, 11:15am-12:30, 1:15pm-2:30pm, Friday 22nd; 9:30am-10:45.