A SCHOOL literacy project which uses rap to spark an interest in poetry is to be expanded.

The initiative has been taken up by three secondary schools in South Lanarkshire after its successful introduction at Holy Cross High School in Hamilton by English teacher Peter Kelly.

Last year, Mr Kelly started using rap battles between pupils in S2 to develop literacy, wordplay and a sense of rhyme.

Now pupils from Holy Cross will take part in battles with those from Calderside Academy, in Blantyre, and Carluke High School.

Contests will initially be conducted in classes, then between classes in schools before the three establishments come together for a final in December.

The winners will be given the chance to record their rap in a studio session with a professional producer.

Tony McDaid, the South Lanarkshire council ­education chief, said: "We are hugely proud of the hard work and innovation which goes on in our schools every day - and this project is a wonderful example of that.

"It has captured the ­imagination of young people and sparked a renewed excitement about literacy."

The format is taken from stand-offs between American rappers who trade insults. The format developed by Mr Kelly allows no abuse and is used to debate topics such as bullying and violence.

Mr Kelly said the response from pupils had been very enthusiastic with a particular impact on boys, known for switching off in the early years of secondary.

He said: "As teachers we are met with young people from all sorts of different backgrounds who may have confrontational attitudes towards the process of learning.

"The idea of repackaging a lot of the traditional elements of English in a way that would engage otherwise disengaged pupils was at the forefront of my thinking."