Acclaimed lesbian poet Carol Ann Duffy was been named the winner
of the Costa Poetry Prize.
Duffy, who is the first openly-gay Poet Laureate, won the
competition's poetry category for her work entitled The Bees. It
was her first work since being appointed in 2009.
Duffy - who has also written a poem for display in the Olympic
Park - was one of several winners. Author Andrew Miller succeeded
in the best novel category for his book Pure, while Christie Watson
won best first novel for Tiny Sunbirds Far Away.
Matthew Hollis won best biography for his book about war poet
Edward Thomas.
Meanwhile, Moira Young won the children's book Blood Red
Road.
All five books will now compete for the 2011 Costa Book of the
Year, which will be announced in London on 24 January.
