Prime Minister Tony Blair has handpicked Motion, seen as a traditional figure in literary circles, from a large list of contenders, said the newspaper.

The decision would end speculation that Blair was going to pick a modern-style ``people's poet'' and was considering figures such as ex-Beatle Paul McCartney for the post.

The Times said the appointment will be formally announced next week. It was delayed because a memorial service for Hughes, said to be one of the greatest 20th century British poets, who died last year, took place last week.

Hughes had been poet laureate -- an unofficial bard for the nation, given the task of celebrating major events -- since 1984.

The poet laureate -- who receives a traditional payment of 70 pounds and a case of wine per year -- is formally appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of theprime minister.

A Downing Street spokesman refused to confirm the appointment. He said: ``The position is that we will make an announcement in due course.''

``In the meantime we have nothing to say about speculation about who it is going to be.''

Motion, 46, was educated at private school, Radley College, and then went on to Oxford University, where he studied English literature.

He has published two novels, seven volumes of poetry, a biography of poet Philip Larkin and also a criticism of Larkin's works. He has been married twice and has two sons and one daughter.