POET Laureate Andrew Motion is to visit south Shropshire as guest speaker at a new study centre for the arts.

The Hurst, in Clunton, was formerly the home of playwright John Osborne, author of Look Back In Anger.

Last year it was extended and renovated by The Arvon Foundation after an award of lottery cash and it will now provide residential courses on writing drama, poetry, comedy for television and writing for children.

A course for south Shropshire school pupils is being held in June and then the centre will hold residential courses until October.

"It's a coup for us to get Andrew Motion in our first year," said centre director Edmund Collier.

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"He will be guest at our 'Writing from Life' course which runs in September.

"This course will be tutored by novelist Eva Hoffman and award-winning poet Carole Stya Murti.

"Bryony Lavery, who does work for Pentabus Theatre in Bromfield is also lined up as a course tutor," he added.

The Hurst, set in 30 acres of countryside with a lake, is still the home of Mrs Helen Osborne. It has three buildings able to accommodate about 16 students and four tutors.

The Clockhouse is the heart of the centre with main living areas and some bedrooms. A barn conversion now called the Foyle Studio provides space for workshops and reading.

Three of the eight courses are already fully booked with remaining places on the others going fast. For further details about courses at The Hurst call 01588 640658 or log on to hurst@arvonfoundation.org