Wales welcomed a new poet laureate for children last week amid celebrations for the country’s biggest youth festival.

Oxford-born Twm Morys, a writer and musician, was announced as the new bardd plant at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Cardiff. He took over from Ifor ap Glyn in the seat, which seeks to raise the profile of poetry among young people.

Mr Morys has been visiting schools for many years. “I soon realised that the most important work that we do is giving children confidence,” he said. “We make language a ball, and by playing with that ball, the children learn vocabulary and grammar, local history, Welsh history and the ways of the world.”

The Urdd Eisteddfod, which was established 80 years ago, celebrates Welsh language and culture, with competitions in poetry, theatre, singing, dancing and technology. This year, 15,000 children descended on the capital to compete for a medal.

The six-day festival saw a performance by Bryn Terfel, the international opera singer who performed at the Urdd as a child.

Other previous contestants include Ioan Gruffudd, now a Hollywood actor, and Catatonia singer Cerys Matthews. ik.