Schoolchildren in Bath are leading the way in a project to help create the first 1,000-verse poem in Europe.

Poetry expert Alan Summers has been working with youngsters as part of an attempt to get people across the city involved with a global Renga.

He visited St Andrew's Primary School on Julian Road to speak to pupils about the structure of Renga – a 1,000-year-old form of traditional Japanese poetry written by many different people.

Bristol-based Mr Summers, who has an MA in creative writing at Bath Spa University, has launched the project at Bath's central library and is hoping that people from across the city will get involved.

He said: "Libraries are a place of words, and as someone who promotes the love of words, what better place could I choose to launch this incredible type of poem, where the public write the poem – not the poet."

The aim is to create a Senku Renga, or Super Renga, with 1,000 verses all inspired by the first few lines.

The poem will differ from the traditional structure in which each verse follows the one before. Organisers have said it will form the pattern of a tree with branches spreading out.

Work on the poem will start in Bath and then be expanded across the continent.

Schools across the city have been invited to take part in the hope that the project will encourage more children to enjoy poetry, as well as getting them to visit their local library.

Councillor Terry Gazzard, Bath and North East Somerset Council's cabinet member for tourism, leisure and culture welcomed the project.

He said: "B&NES' libraries are a place where words can come alive and everyone has the opportunity to learn and develop new skills.

"Schemes like this poetry project bring the whole community together and reinforce Bath's reputation as a global centre for the arts."

Anyone interested in taking part in the poetry project is asked to compose two or three lines based on the first verse.

It reads: "Autumn leaves floating gracefully, changing their colours, like turncoats."

They should then either speak to a member of staff at their local library, send their work via email to june_wentland@bathnes.gov.uk or text it to Council Connect on 07797 806545, making sure the message starts with RENGA.