The editor of the Western Morning News supplement Living Cornwall is in line for one of the county's greatest honours.

Simon Parker has been elected a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd for his "promotion of all things Cornish", in particular Cornish literature.

The Gorsedd is a gathering of druids and the bards are Cornish poets.

Simon, a prolific journalist, author, playwright, poet and songwriter, is one of 16 new bards to be welcomed into the Gorsedd by Grand Bard John Bolitho in Launceston on next month.

At the ceremony each new bard is presented in turn to the grand bard, who welcomes him or her to membership of the gorsedd and bestows a bardic name upon him or her.

The ceremony is finally closed by the oath of fealty to Cornwall by the assembled bards and a call for peace.

Simon joins a small group of Cornish journalists, including Douglas Williams and Barrie Bennetts, to gain this coveted recognition.

Simon, who lives with his wife and three children near Callington, is involved in many Cornish ventures, particularly as editor of the new Cornish literary review Scryfa.

In his younger days Simon used to sing in Cornish punk rock bands before settling down to write stories, plays and poetry as well as songs. In recent years his work has been performed at numerous arts venues, festivals and on radio.

For his literary skills he has been awarded the Henry Jenner Cup and the Sybil Pomeroy Cup by the Gorsedd.

He is well-known for his enthusiasm for the Cornish dialect.

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