London, March 7 Former British Prime Minister Sir John Major used to secretly write poetry to relieve himself of stress, it has emerged.

The 64-year-old, who lost the 1997 general election to Tony Blair, penned verse during his time in 10 Downing Street, including rhyming couplets honouring former England Test captain Lord Colin Cowdrey.

"Throughout my time in Downing Street and office I had always jotted down poems," the Telegraph quoted him as saying.

"They were about cricket subjects and about politics and about characters. With some of my political poems it is probably best they are never seen in public!

"But in the case of Colin l am pleased to share it. We were very close friends and used to get together for whiskies almost on a weekly basis," he added.

Judith Palmer, director of the Poetry Society, dubbed his "Lord Colin Cowdrey - A Cricketing Gentleman" as a "heartfelt elegy", stressing the cultural contribution made by Sir John.

She said: "It would be great if we had more politicians actively participating in our cultural life.

"To write poetry you need to have an attentiveness to life and a wish to communicate - skills that are also good in a politician.'" (ANI)