A publisher's link with modern poetry, which led to a national outcry when it was threatened with being severed, has been preserved.

Oxford University Press has reversed its controversial decision to scrap its modern poetry list, after reaching agreement with a specialist poetry publisher Carcanet.

OUP bosses originally took the decision to drop 50 poets in order to concentrate on academic and educational publishing. But now a new agreement has been forged which will ensure that the modern poetry list survives.

The two companies will work closely together with an editorial board appointed by Oxford University's English faculty board.

All living poets on the OUP list have been invited to join the venture and their books will continue to be promoted as Oxford Poets.

Henry Reece, chief executive of OUP, said: "This promises to be an excellent partnership, and will appeal to all those concerned about the widest possible dissemination of poetry.

Carcanet was established in Oxford, and later moved to Manchester. Manager and editorial director Michael Schmidt said: "It is a particular pleasure to play a part in the Oxford Poets list."

Story date: Monday 08 March

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