IT'S been a roller coaster year for Garndiffaith poet Lorna Lloyd - but she has an inspired way to get through difficult times.

Her first collection of poems - A Cracked Prism - has received rave reviews.

Poet and artist Lorna's anthology has been described as "Haunting, disturbing and sharply perceptive," creating "strong images which can be hard to displace from your mind."

The 47-year-old mother of two - who is currently battling a serious illness - is often inspired by the local area.

She once told the Free Press "Living there makes you very aware of the seasons, it's a very inspirational place."

Ms Lloyd studied fine art and worked as a designer in London before returning to Wales, where her sons Tom and Christopher were born.

To date as her reputation as a poet gathers momentum, her work has been broadcast on BBC Radio Wales and published in several anthologies.

Robert Minhinnick, poet and editor of Poetry Wales said: "In the poetry of Lorna Lloyd we immediately learn that the commonplace is really rather marvellous and that myth and magic exist as sensual currents within ordinary life. Here is a writer who looks with loving precision at the world around her, delighted and sometimes awed by its transformative powers, Lorna Lloyd is a poet to savour and this is a memorably rich first collection."

A Cracked Prism is being launched today at Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, priced £7.99 from Parthian Books at parthianbooks@yahoo.co.uk