A writer who believes we should welcome mice and other "wee, sleekit beasties" into our homes is in the running for Britain's most prestigious poetry award.

John Burnside, 45, a novelist and prize-winning poet, is shortlisted for the Forward Prize for his sixth collection, The Asylum Dance, which pits the domestic against the pull of the open road.

Burnside is the early favourite for the £10,000 prize. He is joined on the shortlist of five by fellow Scots Kathleen Jamie and Douglas Dunn and by American born Michael Donaghy. Irish born Matthew Sweeney is nominated for his darkly comic book, A Smell of Fish.

The winner will be announced on October 4, when the £5,000 Waterstone's Best First Collection prize will also be decided.

The full shortlists are:
Forward Prize
The Asylum Dance, John Burnside; Conjure, Michael Donaghy; The Donkey's Ears, Douglas Dunn; Jizzen, Kathleen Jamie; A Smell Of Fish, Matthew Sweeney. Waterstone's First Collection Prize
The Heel Of Bernadette, Colette Bryce; Astro Naut, Brian Henry; Femenismo, Joanne Limburg; The Blue Book, Owen Sheers; In, Andrew Waterhouse.