The success of poet Polly Clark's residency with the Daily Echo has been recognised by the shortlisting of the project for a Financial Times/Arts and business Award.

The awards recognise exceptional partnerships between business and the arts and the Daily Echo Poet-in-Residence project has been singled out in the category of Arts Business and Community.

The winners will be announced on Monday, November 4.

Polly Clark began as Poet-in- Residence at the Echo in September 2000, writing poems for the paper and choosing the Daily Poem written by a reader.

Creative Corner was soon added, giving the paper the opportunity to print more of readers' work.

It soon grew into the massive project it is today, with four Creative Writing Specials, a region-wide School's Echo programme, and the most prestigious writing competition in the region.

Editor Ian Murray said, "Polly's residency has allowed the Daily Echo to reach its readers in a whole new way. We have discovered new writing talent among our readers and encouraged them to send their creative work in to us. There is no project like this anywhere in the country and we are very proud that it is being recognised."

There are more exciting events to come. The Spring Creative Writing Special in March will feature a specially-commissioned short story by Louis de Bernires, author of Captain Corelli's Mandolin. A children's poetry competition is planned to include every child in the region under 16.