SMART-TALKING poets went toe-to-toe in a trans-Atlantic "slam" on the internet.

Oxford Science, in St Clements, hosted the first ever poetry slam between Oxford and New York on Saturday.

Both cities competed against each other using a mix of hip-hop, rap and poetry which was beamed live on the internet.

Steve Larkin, president of organisers Hammer and Tongue, said: "Technically it went very well. It was superb to be hearing everyone crystal clear despite being an ocean apart."

Oxford's team boasted the city's poetry slam champion Danny Chivers and the UK champion John Berkavich.

New York won the clash but a rematch is being planned.

The event was held as part of the Oxford Science Festival.