A UNIVERSITY of Winchester lecturer has been named Hampshire Poet for 2014.

Joan McGavin, associate creative writing lecturer, stood out from more than 50 poets who put themselves forward for the high profile role, awarded by Hampshire County Council biannually.

As the county’s chief bard, Joan will advocate the pleasures of reading and writing and help organise literary themed events.

She will also write poems to help commemorate local council projects and activities.

Joan, who works within the university’s department for English, creative writing and American studies, said: “I’m honoured and thrilled to have been chosen for this important award, and also a little daunted.”

Joan’s first collection of works, Flannelgraphs, was published by Oversteps Books in 2011. Her writing has been published in magazines and anthologies.

Joan succeeds fellow writer and University of Winchester lecturer Brian Evans-Jones, who was Hampshire Poet for 2012