A CO Down author has been appointed the first Children's Writing Fellow, a prestigious new position created in honour of Seamus Heaney and his contribution to literature.

In the first appointment of its kind, Myra Zepf was unveiled yesterday as the new writing fellow, a two-year post created by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry at Queen's University.

It is part of several projects created to ensure the legacy of the Nobel Prize-winning poet and inspire and support current and future generations of writers.

The announcement was welcomed by the Heaney family with the late poet's daughter Catherine attending the inaugural ceremony.

Ms Zepf, who has published three Irish language books for young audiences, will help promote an interest in reading and writing from an early age by encouraging creativity and engagement with books.

"I'm looking forward to tapping into that wonderful energy that is already there in the world of children’s books," she said.

"It will be about shining a spotlight on the talent we already have in the local children’s writing community and inspiring a love of reading and books far and wide.

"But most importantly of all, it will be about bringing the buzz of the creative process into schools to develop our youngest writers, sparking their imaginations and nurturing their confidence."

Roisin McDonough from the Arts Council said: "Seamus Heaney was one of the greatest literary voices of our time and his work is celebrated across the world. The creation of this post is a fitting tribute to his life, work and enduring legacy."

Dr Glenn Patterson of the Seamus Heaney Centre said: "I can think of no better way to honour Seamus Heaney contribution to literature than to inspire new generations of readers and writers".