Named Query with like in where clause

Is it possible to have a like in a where clause in a named query? I am trying to do the following but am getting exceptions

@NamedQuery(name = "Place.getPlaceForCityAndCountryName",
query = "SELECT p FROM Place p WHERE " +
        "lower(p.city) like :city and " +
        "lower(p.countryName) like :countryName");

I tried adding % as you would do in normal SQL but get exceptions compiling.

Any pointers greatly appreciated!

Thanks