How do you copyright a poem and story?

[jenniprice]

Hi
I've started writting a story and write many poems.
I would like to go round getting them published, or have someone look at them, but would I need to copyright them first?
How do I copyright them?

Thanks in advance

[jkkerr]

Have a wee read of this:

http://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/copyright/p0 1_uk_copyright_law

[jkkerr]

Sorry, this is more up-to-date

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/copy/c-claim/c-auto.htm