Bradford poets are going head to head for a chance to compete in a national Capital of Culture battle of verse.

Bradford is taking on rival British cities competing for the European Capital of Culture title in a national Poetry Slam.

Contestants will have five minutes to perform two poems, proving they have what it takes to represent the district at self-composed spoken verse.

The Poetry Slam, being held as part of the Bristol Poetry Festival this autumn, involves teams of two from each city bidding for the 2008 title reciting poetry, with an emphasis on performing the written word.

Bradford's Capital of Culture team is running a contest next week to select the district's team.

"Slamming is a relatively new phenomenon to the Bradford literary scene," said Bradford 2008 spokeswoman Farzana Khan.

"Although slam contests have been part of the Ilkley Literature Festival over the last two years, in contrast to the other cities taking part in this event we don't have an established slamming venue.

"While slamming is in part about performing poetry, there are other essential ingredients - such as timing.

"The piece must be performed within a fixed time. If the poet over-runs, either the poet is deducted points according to the length of time involved or the judges use their discretion to mark only according to what has gone on within the time limit.''

She continued: "Poems are judged according to quality of writing, quality of performance - there is a ban on props - and audience response. The audience is discouraged from the usual sort of restrained clapping that you get at poetry readings.

"Scoring is done by the judges holding up numbered cards from a range of nought to ten - like an ice skating contest!"

A slamming contest to find a Bradford team for Bristol will be held at Orpheus at the Melborn, White Abbey Road, Bradford, on Wednesday August 28 at 8pm for an 8.30pm start. Contestants must make themselves known to door staff at the Melborn by 8pm. They must perform their own poem about Bradford to last two minutes 30 seconds, and another of their own poems on any theme lasting three minutes.

The winner and runner up will go on to the Capital of Culture Slam in Bristol on October 5. All contestants must be available for the Bristol event and be willing to be involved in publicity in Bradford leading up to the event. Travel expenses and accommodation will be provided by the Bristol organisers.

For more information ring Bruce Barnes at the Bradford 2008 team on (01274) 223665.