YOUNG artist Helen Shoesmith will soon be wearing her work with pride.

Organisers of a painting competition were so impressed with her artwork, based on the Great British Rhythm & Blues music festival held over the Bank Holiday weekend, they are thinking of having it printed on a T-shirt and presenting it to the 15-year-old from Barrowford.

The design could also be printed commercially and used to promote next year's festival.

Helen was one of a group of youngsters who captured the themes of two different events and the judges' eyes to win painting competitions.

The three winners of the contest to mark the Great British Markets Week had to paint their ideal stall while the winners of a competition run in conjunction with the R & B festival had to capture the sights of the music event.

Each prize winner received a £5 voucher to spend in one of Pendle's markets during a ceremony at Colne Market Hall yesterday. They are all pupils at Fisher-More RC High School, Colne.

Pendle Council estates officer Sharon Livesey said: "The children obviously put a lot of thought and effort into their entries and the standard of the paintings was really superb.

"These competitions give schoolchildren the chance to show off their talents outside the classroom and there will be more competitions in the future to help bring together schools, businesses and the local community."

Winners were: Markets: 1, Katarzyna Melling; 2, Alice Briscall; 3, Kirsty Stanworth. Blues: 1, Helen Shoesmith; 2, Rachel Schofield; 3, Graham Briggs.

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