THERE'S a rare visit from acclaimed London poet Sophie Herxheimer to a Colchester poetry club this weekend.

The Modicum of Potatoes Poetry Evening, which takes place at the Odd One Out pub in Mersea Road, takes place on the last Friday of every month and this time around it has scored a real coup by getting Sophie along.

Sophie has held residencies for London International Festival of Theatre, Southbank Centre, The National Maritime Museum and Transport for London while her exhibitions have included The Poetry Library and The National Portrait Gallery.

Over the years her projects have included a 300 metre tablecloth that ran the length of Southwark Bridge, a life-size concrete poem in the shape of Mrs Beeton sited next to her grave, and live story collecting with many different groups.

As well as performing live, Sophie has had many of her pieces published in such publications as Long Poem Magazine, Tears in the Fence, Poems In Which, Over The Line and The New Concrete.

She also won first prize in the inaugural Poetry Book fair competition last autumn.

Sophie is the guest reader at this month's Modicum of Potatoes Poetry Evening, which takes place this Friday, April 29, at 7.30pm.

As part of the evening there will be artworks on display by local artists.