A poetry evening will decamp from its regular venue in Covent Garden to bring Colliers Wood some urban-edged lyrics, passion and politics this week.

Dodo Modern Poets will gather at Lily’s Tea House on Saturday, November 9, and are inviting anyone to pop in for an open spot and share their poetry.

Local poet Yan Li, who helped organise the event, said: "For me Lily’s Tea House is a small theatre.

"You are very close to the poets and it is like they are talking to you.

"Usually we have full house - it is not hard because it’s a small venue.

"Over 20 people is a crowd." The name of Dodo Modern Poets is an ironic tribute to Penguin Modern Poets - a series of anthologies published in the 60s and 70s.

It was founded in 1986 to bring new and established poets to a wider audience.

Dodo Modern Poets; Lily’s Tea House; 2 The Long Shop, Merton Abbey Mills, Merantun Way; November 9, 8pm; tickets £4-5 include open mic readers; 0782 5564557.