A PROFESSIONAL artist is encouraging children in East Hampshire to get colourful and creative in a landmark drawing competition which gives them the chance to see their design on the side of a coach.

Brighton-based Richard Berner has launched the Colour the Coach competition on behalf of National Express.

The contest is aimed at children aged five to 15 who are asked to draw their favourite local landmark and the winning design – as chosen by Richard – 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.

Richard said: “I’m calling on all kids in East Hampshire aged five to 15 to enter the Colour the Coach competition. I’d like to see designs which not only capture the landmark well but are also creative and show the artist’s individuality too.”

Entries must be landscape designs on A4 paper and include name, address, age, phone number and e-mail address written on the back. They should be sent to National Express Coach Art Competition, National Express House, Mill Lane, Birmingham, B5 6DD. The closing date is July 29.