A poet inspired by Staffordshire’s landscapes and a sixth-form student passionate about giving young people a voice have been named the county’s new Poet Laureates.

Cherry Doyle, from Rugeley, has been appointed Staffordshire Poet Laureate, while Lola Taylor, from Stone, becomes Staffordshire’s Young Poet Laureate. The appointments, managed by Staffordshire County Council’s Libraries and Communities Service, coincide with National Poetry Day on 1 October.

Cherry, whose work explores themes of landscape, heritage and place, will spend the next two years championing poetry across the county, celebrating Staffordshire’s people, places and stories.

Meanwhile, Year 12 student Lola becomes the 11th Young Poet Laureate and hopes to encourage more young people to write and perform poetry through school and community engagement.

Hayley Coles, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council, welcomed the appointments, highlighting poetry’s role in supporting literacy, creativity and self-expression.

Both laureates will work to promote poetry and inspire new audiences across Staffordshire over the coming year.