Winner Warsan Shire, 24, said she would aim to inspire other youngsters as she was encouraged by her mentor, Jacob Sam-La Rose, at a Wembley youth centre after her family won asylum because of conflict in her war-torn homeland.

She said as Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy was due to announce her appointment in a ceremony at Parliament: “Had I not met him, I would not be doing what I am.”

Warsan will carry out her duties as part of the Spoke programme, commissioned by the London Legacy Development Corporation.

Source: Evening Standard