THE SKY is the limit for two Hampshire youngsters who have scooped first prizes in a nationwide science poetry competition.

Seven-year-olds James Lockyer and Hugo Small, who are both pupils at Freegrounds Junior School in Hobb Lane, Hedge End, were among more than 2,000 people of all ages who entered the Universe Competition held to celebrate National Science Week.

The competition was organised by the British Association for the Advancement of Science, and promoted by people including science fiction author Terry Pratchett, astronomer Sir Patrick Moore and the Muppet scientists Beaker and Dr Honeydew.

Winners were picked in five age categories, with the boys being selected as the joint winners in the four to seven age group.

James and Hugo, both from Hedge End, wrote poems about the sky, which impressed the judges. Judge Craig Brierley said: "It was very difficult selecting winners, but James and Hugo's poems stood out.

"Everyone has looked out of their windows at night-time and wondered what is out there, and the two of them captured this curiosity beautifully."

James and Hugo joined the other winners for a prize-giving ceremony at the Science Museum in London where they were presented with a telescope each from Roland Jackson, chief executive of the scientific association.

Malcolm Barrett, head teacher of Freegrounds Infant School, said: "We are absolutely delighted that James and Hugo won their age group. We are very proud of them."

JAMES LOCKYER'S POEM

Before I close my curtains

And go to sleep at night

I look up at the dark blue sky

And see the stars so bright

I don't know how they stay up there

Just hanging in the sky

Why don't they fall just like a ball

I just can't work out why

Perhaps each star is on a string

Which I just cannot see

Hanging from a cloud

It is a mystery to me

I've looked into my telescope

And still can't see the string

But I'm sure that when I'm older

I shall sort out everything

HUGO SMALL'S POEM

WHO IS MY FRIEND?

When I look out at the sky each night

I let my imagination take flight

What is really up there in the blackest sky?

Who might visit me and why?

The blackness goes on forever

It seems to never end,

Space is a lonely frontier

Will I ever find a friend?

What would he look like?

I don't have a clue,

Would he be like a Martian

Or red, white and blue?

What would he eat if he came to tea?

Would he eat meat or would he eat me?

Would he be a friend or a possible foe?

Please don't ask me cos I don't know!