BARRY poet Tony Curtis will read from his latest collection when he visits Penarth on October 8.

Tony will read pieces from his new collection, From the Fortunate Isles: New and Selected Poems, which have been published to celebrate his 70th birthday.

The book features poems from 10 of his previous collections, in addition to a substantial number of new poems - marking a 50 year career in poetry.

Tony's themes and variations remain consistent with a deep affection for his roots in West Wales, attachments to family, a profound interest in the wars of the last century, and an abiding fascination for all art forms, particularly painting and poetry.

The cover features a painting by Alan Salisbury.

Tony was born in Carmarthen in 1946 and is the author of more than 14 poetry collections and pamphlets. He has also edited a number of anthologies on subjects ranging from war to Pembrokeshire, Snowdonia, coal, and orphans. His critical books include works on Seamus Heaney, Dannie Abse, writing poetry and art in Wales.

Tony has won the National Poetry Competition, the Dylan Thomas Prize and a Cholmondeley Award. He is Emeritus Professor of Poetry at the University of South Wales, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He has toured widely, reading his poetry to international audiences.

This event, held at Waterloo Tea, will be hosted by fellow poet Amy Wack. Amy was born in Florida and educated at San Diego and Columbia universities, but now lives in Cardiff.

Since 1992, Amy has been poetry editor at Seren, Wales’ leading independent literary publisher and the imprint of Poetry Wales Press.

The event will start at 7.30pm and doors will open at 7pm.

Tickets cost £5 and are available to buy online from ticketsource.co.uk