YOUNGSTERS at schools in Burnley and Padiham are being encouraged to take part in a competition to help slash crime and anti-social behaviour.

The area's Community Safety Partnership has launched the contest to let primary school children design pages for a calendar, featuring themes like bullying, vandalism and road safety.

Pupils will work with teachers and community beat managers.

Three thousand copies of the 2005 calendar will be distributed by the partnership whose members include the police, Burnley Council and the Fire and Rescue Service.

Sergeant Martin Selway from Burnley Police said the competition provided a way for officers to build links with children and if previous competitions are anything to go by choosing winners will be difficult.

He said: "This is a fun initiative for pupils who could have their design printed and pinned on home and office walls throughout Burnley."

Ian Potter from the safety partnership added: "This has been organised to raise understanding of crime, disorder and safety issues among young children."

The competition has being funded through the Home Office Building Safer Communities fund, with the prizes being provided thanks to sponsorship by the Rank Charitable Foundation.

Entries will be judged early next month. There will be 12 winners and 20 runners up who will all receive police teddy bears and artwork sets as well as a copy of the calendar.

The calendars will be distributed just before Christmas.