DAVID Brent, of The Office, was a frustrated poet, among other things. But unlike the BBC's unfortunate character, Gwent office worker Andy Tovey is the real deal.

Mr Tovey, of Clark Avenue, Pontnewydd, has just celebrated his first publication and is a Welsh entrant in the 2005 National Poetry Anthology. He works as an invoice writer for Balfour Beatty, in Blackwood, but finds writing poetry a more pleasurable pastime.

He admits: "I prefer writing in verses to writing invoices." Mr Tovey saw the competition advertised in the South Wales Argus more than a year ago, and sent off his poem, Home - inspired by a television documentary on Welsh ex-pats.

He said: "I waited for what seemed like ages, then heard back that I had won."

Mr Tovey is a keen rugby fan, and poetic inspiration first hit him in 2002 as he watched Wales lose spectacularly against Ireland. He said: "It depressed me, so I sat down at my computer and it just flowed out."

He has since added verses to that first poem, Raw Emotion, which traces the Wales team's progress since 2002. It can now be found, complete with a post-Grand Slam verse, on Scrum V's website.

This year's competition is also free to enter. National Poetry Anthology editor Peter Quinn said: "We anticipate an even bigger response from Wales this year, as the competition keeps on growing and now offers a £1,000 prize."

To enter, send three poems on any subject (up to 20 lines and 160 words) to United Press, Admail 3735, London, EC1B 1JB by June 30.