A GP has found time out of his busy day job to write a poem that has scooped a top prize.

Dr Robert Jaggs-Fowler from Barton-Upon-Humber won the Poetry Prize 2010 competition for his wry poem My Neighbour's Lawn.

The doctor is following in the footsteps of literary greats who stuck at full-time jobs.

Wallace Stevens held down a day job as a lawyer, while TS Eliot worked for many years in banking.

Dr Fowler, who spends more time with patients than pensees, was shocked to find out his poem had won – meaning it will be published in the Fathom 10 anthology.

He said: "I submitted my poem into the competition, which was then judged by published poets.

"I was notified that I had been shortlisted in the competition, but never thought I would have won.

"We attended a presentation at the Ropewalk contemporary art and craft centre in Barton, where the finalists were announced. I was delighted to win and alongside my published piece I receive a £150 cheque."

Dr Fowler has had a passion for poetry writing in his spare time since he was a teenager.

Speaking before the winning announcements were made, Nick Triplow, editor of the anthology, said: "I think this year the content is really strong. It is the first time we have had a poetry prize – which has been a resounding success."

The launch of the Fathom 10 anthology was held at the Ropewalk on November 16.

Mr Triplow said: "It brought together the best new writing from northern Lincolnshire, Hull and the East Riding and features not only the three prize-winners in each category, but also the shortlisted stories and poems from the region's foremost literary competition.

"The whole idea of the anthology is to encourage people who otherwise might find it very difficult to see their work in print.

"It is to enable people to have something to aim for."

Dr Fowler writes a column for the Scunthorpe Telegraph and is a reviewer for a medical journal.

He has also been a regular contributor for an American travel website and has contributed to an American film script.

His first published collection of poetry was in 2008, titled A Journey with Time.

The whole book contains his original poems.

He said: "There are several poems within the book and it is still available to buy at a discounted price for Lincolnshire residents.

"I have also won the Lincoln Book Festival Prize for fiction in 2005. For me to now win this Fathom Prize is an honour."

He said other readers would now find it easier to access his work.

Joining Dr Fowler at the presentation was Anne O'Connor from Beverley, who won first prize for the short story competition.

Second prize of the competition went to Caroline Burton with Shaving Grandad and third prize to Christy Hall for Chub.

Dr Fowler added: "Writing poems is something I will continue to do and I shall enter into more competitions in the future.

"I am currently working on my first novel as well."

Also included in the book is the best flash fiction from Article Magazine, the area's independent guide to arts and culture, which is also published by Fathom Press.

The anthology can be bought from the Ropewalk for £5.