CREATIVE Lois Hancox has been drawing cartoon strips since she could clutch a crayon.

Now the talented seven-year-old is hoping to follow in the footsteps of top cartoonists William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, creators of 'Yogi Bear,' 'Scooby Doo' and a host of other children's favourites.

Although Lois is currently concentrating on cartoon strips the youngster wants to bring her characters to life on screen.

The chirpy Grange Valley pupil with the big ambitions, said: "I'm going to send some of my cartoons to Hanna/Barbera to see if they can develop them into a video.

"I've always loved drawing cartoons and although I make up my own stories I do get some ideas from watching videos and reading comics. People at school like my cartoons and hopefully one day I will be a professional cartoonist."

Lois' mum and dad, Lynne and Neil, of Avery Square, Haydock, are both delighted with their daughter's interest in creating her own wacky characters and storylines.

Neil said: "Lois was interested in drawing pictures from the moment she could pick up a pen and at the age of three she started to draw her own picture story books and create her own characters.

"She spends most of her time drawing and thinking up new amusing tales and she even keeps other kids at school entertained with her cartoons."

Lynne, added: "Lois never ceases to amaze us with her creativeness. Although she is only seven-years-old Lois is a perfectionist and she does have an artistic temperament. She won't let Neil or I help her with any of her ideas, and we're not allowed to see any of her work until it's completed and she's 100 per cent happy with it.

"We've tried to help Lois as much as we can with her ambitions and will continue to do so, but sometimes it's difficult to know which direction to take and we're always happy to hear from anyone who may be able to help us make her dream of becoming a cartoonist come true. She's so dedicated I really do believe she'll do well."

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