A SOUTH West artist is encouraging children in Okehampton to get colourful and creative in a landmark drawing competition which gives them the chance to see their design on the side of a bus.

This week Jenny Urquhart launched the Colour the Coach competition. The contest is aimed at youngsters aged between five and 15 who are being asked to draw their favourite local landmark.

The winning design — as chosen by Jenny — will be turned into a special one off livery to go on the side of a National Express coach. The winner will also get a £50 cheque as prize money.

Jenny, who is well known in the South West for her bright and colourful landscape collages and hot air balloon designs, is encouraging youngsters to enter the competition

She said: ‘I want all kids in Okehampton to enter the competition. I’m looking for bold colourful designs of some of the fantastic landmarks that you can see around the region, so get creative and draw me your favourite landmark.’

The winner will see their picture boldly displayed on one of National Express’ services. Entrants should simply draw their favourite local landmark on an A4 sheet of paper using whatever drawing materials they want.

The youngsters have until Friday, July 28 to send in an entry to National Express.

Entries to the competition must be landscape designs on A4 paper with name, address, age, phone number and email address, written on the back.

They should be sent to National Express Coach Art Competition, National Express House, Mill Lane, Birmingham, B5 6DD.