A talented young Aberdeen school pupil has proved herself to be a true performer – by winning a top place in the regional heat of a national poetry recital competition.

Talia Mathers who is in Primary Five at St Margaret’s School for Girls, scooped top place in the first of five North-east heats of the BBC’s Off By Heart which are taking place this week.

She learnt by heart and recited ‘The King’s Breakfast’ by AA Milne, a poem of more than 90 lines at the event in Aberdeen’s Central Library.

Off By Heart is a national initiative from the BBC to encourage primary school pupils to engage with learning and reciting poems.

More than 1,500 schools registered for the competition but each was able to enter only one pupil.  Talia was chosen to represent St Margaret’s after a poetry reading event was held at the school.

Talia’s teacher Fiona King said the nine year old was a worthy winner at last night’s stage as she read the poem beautifully.

“The King’s Breakfast is a wonderful piece of work and Talia did the poem justice,” she said. “It is very impressive that all the children involved learned their poems by heart and then recited them with such confidence.

“Poetry can be magical and so this competition is a fantastic way to get children to appreciate the written verse. By encouraging them to learn and recite the poem, they can really develop an understanding of and enthusiasm for poetry.

“Talia now has the chance to go on to compete for the title of UK Poetry Recital Champion which is such an exciting opportunity for her.”

BBC2 will screen a programme about the competition this spring. Each of the North-east winners have been filmed and these recordings will be used to decide who will go through to the national final.