FOR more than three decades, Lions Clubs all over the world have sponsored a special art contest in schools and youth groups to create a Peace Poster with a different theme each year.

More than four million young people from 100 countries have taken part with judging at local level, district, national and then international.  Each poster being judged on originality, artistic merit and expression of the theme.

This year that theme was “Lead with Compassion”, with three schools taking part locally - Copplestone, Hayward’s and Landscore.

Judging this year had been so close it had been difficult to decide on the winners and runners-up.

Each winner received a large box of colouring pencils with the runners up being given a different box of colouring pencils.  The judge was celebrated local artist Mike Palmer.  The schools were in the youngest age category.

At Copplestone the winner was Isla with Kayla and Emily as runners-up.  Their prizes were presented by Lions Eric Parkes, who has organised the competition locally for 12 years, President Hazel Evely and Vice President Ann Whitehouse.

At Hayward’s the winner was Amelia Stott with Thalia Groom as runner-up.  Their prizes were presented by Lions Vice President Ann Whitehouse and treasurer John Whitehouse.