Wordsmiths are being urged to enter the Lakeland Book of the Year to follow in the footsteps of Wordsworth.

Entries have opened for the 2020 Hunter Davies Lakeland Book of the Year, which celebrates the literature of the Lake District.

This year’s joint winners of the award were Alan Cleaver and Lesley Park for their book The Corpse Roads of Cumbria.

Alan said: “Lesley and I were so honoured to win last year, particularly given the astonishingly high standard of all the other entrants.

“It was wonderful to be recognised by peers – and I have to say the publicity also gave Corpse Roads of Cumbria a boost too.”

It is judged by Hunter Davies, who founded the awards; Eric Robson, president of Cumbria Tourism; and Fiona Armstrong, lord lieutenant of Dumfries.

The winner of the coveted book of the year will be announced next summer during a charity gala.

“I’d encourage authors, publishers, and readers to support this unique award,” commented Alan.

“Most authors work quietly at writing their books with little or no recognition so it’s wonderful Hunter Davies, his fellow judges, Cumbria Tourism, the county’s bookshops, and all the sponsors do so much to shine the limelight on this quiet band of workers.”

It’s a particularly special year for literature enthusiasts as 2020 also marks 250 years since William Wordsworth was born.

Events will be taking place throughout the year in the Lake District to celebrate his life and his contributions to literature.

The deadline to enter is February 28, 2020, and more details about how to enter can be found on the award’s website.