AN East Lancashire artist impressed judges so much with her winning entry in an art competition that she has been asked to produce the trophies for this year's contest.

Halima Cassell said she was thrilled when she won a Creativity Works award the East Lancashire "Oscars" for creative people last year.

But she was even more thrilled when she was then commissioned by the judges to design and create the seven individual awards for this year's winners.

Halima, 30, a former pupil at Queen's Park High School, Blackburn, scooped the award for creative development for her Carved Earth exhibition after being nominated by her old art teacher John Costello.

And after returning from a month-long trip to Japan, where her clay work was been showcased in Yokyo, Halima is putting the finishing touches to the ceramic trophies, which will be presented to the winners on Wednesday at a ceremony at St Mary's Chambers in Rawtenstall.

She said: "It has been a very exciting time really and a bit scary.

"To be asked to design the Creativity Awards trophy is a massive compliment.

"I have been working really hard to get them ready in between travelling to Japan for a month.

"With each piece of work taking up to 100 hours to complete I am now relieved that all that is left to do is add the base.

"Then they will be ready for to be presented to this year's winners."

She added: "I have been so busy with my trip to Tokyo, but it was a fantastic experience and one I found very inspirational and I have been invited back next year.

"Now I just hope the winners like it."

Halima's work was first seen in Blackburn two years ago when she exhibited at Blackburn Art Gallery and Museum.

Since then she has gone on to exhibit her work in shows in Sweden, Barcelona and in London at the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal College of Art.

Closer to home her work has been on display this year at the Platform Galley in Clitheroe, Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery and Decor in Whalley.

Buying her work is being tipped as a good investment as the price of of her work is expected to rise with her increased status as an international artist.

The Creativity Works awards are now in their second year and are supported by the Arts Council England North West and ELEAN a multi-agency network in East Lancashire.

l Halima's work can currently be viewed at Warrington Art Galley and Museum or can be seen online by visiting www.halimacassell.co.uk