A POSTER designed by an 11 years old Polish girl who has been at the Haywards School, Crediton, for two years could go to the national final of the Lions' Peace Poster contest.

Beata Kowalska knew no English when she came to Devon with her family two years ago. This term she gained Level 5 in all subjects apart from writing, for which she achieved Level 4.

Beata said she had done a lot of research and thinks she might not have had the idea if she had not had the experience of such a big change.

She drew characteristic faces for England, France, Japan and Africa, each with their national flag and a peace emblem at the centre.

Runner up at Hayward's was 11 years old Hayden Hill. Teacher Mrs Noreen Faulkner said Year 6 pupils, those moving on to secondary schools, take part in the Peace Poster competition each year as part of their transition project, thinking about change, becoming part of the wider world, gaining interest in and understanding of that world. All the Hayward's entries will be on show at the school early next term.

Four schools took part in the competition organised by the Lions Club of Crediton and District with the remit being to design a poster on the theme The Power of Peace.

Judge, artist Don Nicholson who lives locally, congratulated all the children on the high standard of entries and the thought and effort that had gone into their posters.

Other winners were: Copplestone - 1 Emma Harvey, 2 Jordana Peters. Lapford - 1 Merlin Tucker, 2 Jack Bastin. Sandford - 1 Reuben Lindley, 2 Lauren Holmes.

Each person taking part received a certificate and winners received prizes of art materials. Each year the most successful posters are judged regionally, nationally and internationally. Beata's poster will go through to the next round, although it will be several months before she hears if she has had further success.

Lion Keith Worters, who has overseen the Peace Poster competition locally this year, was impressed by the thought given to the designs, the imagination and creative skills of the young people.

He added: "The competition aims to stimulate discussion among young people about the importance and significance of peace. Clearly, that has happened. The different ways the vision of peace have been expressed has been a delight."