WHAT'S the first thing you remember drawing? The chances are it was a cosy-looking house with a door in the middle and four square windows.

Young children happily pick up a crayon almost as soon as they can crawl -- but by the time they are at primary school many will have dropped a habit which once came as naturally as playing.

Now, schools across East Lancashire have joined nearly 200 nationwide engaged in a campaign to get youngsters drawing again.

Eminent cartoonist Gerald Scarfe and film-maker David Puttnam, the ennobled director of cinema classic Chariots of Fire, are among those behind The Campaign for Drawing. And at one of the schools to take up the challenge, Balladen County Primary in Rawtenstall, teacher Louise Barnes heralded it a great success.

She spent last week inspiring pupils to do what once came naturally with a variety of classes based on the theme of Body Parts.

Louise said: "We involved all the children from reception to year 6.

"They draw their world as they see it; what's important to them. So their people have large heads, eyes and smiles. But the bodies and legs are just sticks.

"It's a shame that often they have forgotten about drawing. We went back to basics and they really enjoyed themselves. I'm hoping now they'll carry on."

The Campaign for Drawing is also aimed at adults who want help in rediscovering the joys of drawing. Events include:

Helmshore Textile Museum: "Killing Machines" -- Design your own safety poster for life at t'mill between the 18th to 20th centuries. Various dates until October 27.

Queen Street Mill Museum, Harle Syke, Burnley: "The Big Draw and Drawing Frame" -- October 22 to 25.

Towneley Hall Art Gallery and Museum, Burnley: "Exhibition of Fairytale Illustrations." Until October 27. "Can you draw a straight line?"

Today . "Examine and draw the beasts at Towneley. Today.