Thornhill primary school poets Luca and Ciara

STUDENTS at Thornhill Primary school performed poems they had written about dads, dishwashers and ballet on Monday.

The 13-strong troupe of verse-makers performed alongside the school’s poet in residence, Paul Lyalls, to the packed-out school hall in Thornhill Road.

Luca, aged nine, who read out a poem about waking up and being energised, said: “I like writing poems because I like to make jokes that make no sense.”

The night was part of the month-long Word 2017 festival which sees performances by residents throughout the borough to celebrate freedom of expression.