Local poet and author Owen Sheers is among the finalists for the 2016 St David Awards announced by First Minister Carwyn Jones.

The awards, now in their third year, acknowledge the extraordinary achievements of people in Wales.

Owen has been nominated in the culture category. His first collection of poetry, The Blue Book, was shortlisted for the Welsh Book of the Year and the Forward Prize Best 1st Collection in 2001.

He was also the Welsh Rugby Union’s first artist in residence. His resulting work of non-fiction entitled ‘Calon: A Journey to the Heart of Welsh Rugby’, published in 2013, is a personal journey into the sport that defines a nation.

See the full story in this week’s Abergavenny Chronicle