A SIXTH form pupil took second prize for her poem about her grandmother's agoraphobia.

Alicia Johnson Husbands, who goes to John Kyrle High School sixth form in Ross-on-Wye, was second in the category of Young People 12 to 18 in the Ledbury Poetry Festival competition.

Her poem was called Agoraphobia.

Alicia said: "Twelve months ago I was adamant that I neither liked nor could write poetry. So, to have one of my poems publicly recognised is an amazing personal achievement.

"Agoraphobia was inspired by the trips I used to take with my dad and older sister to see my grandmother. My poem is told through the eyes of my younger self, when I was too young to recognise the illness she had. "Looking back, it’s easy to see but it was something beyond my comprehension as a child. It was my intention to capture the feelings I experienced at that time."

Agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or that help wouldn't be available if things go wrong.

Alicia is planning to study Creative Writing at university next year.

You can read all the winning poems at www.poetry-festival.co.uk/ledbury-poetry-competition/