CHILDREN throughout Cornwall are obviously a budding bunch of artists if the entries for an art competition run by Newquay Zoo and The John Dyer Gallery are anything to go by.

The judging panel, including respected artist John Dyer, zoo director Stewart Muir and What's On's Lee Trewhela met last week to choose winners after a fantastic response to the competition. With more than 200 entries across three age categories the competition was tough.

Lee said: "The standard was very high so we had to be ruthless. I felt like the Simon Cowell of the children's art world. My personal favourite was a very goth-looking black bat, but the overall winners and their colourful works deserved their prizes."

The overall winner will choose between a family ticket or an animal experience (depending on exact age), while winners of each category will each get a goody bag – plus all winning pictures will also be displayed at the zoo.

Zoo director Stewart added: "This was a great opportunity for children to engage with the zoo as part of Love Your Zoo week, and for the winners, it's a chance to display their artwork in Cornwall's biggest zoo."

"What a great selection and standard of work. We had a brilliant response with 200 entries received at the zoo. It was great fun to view all the wonderful art and I love the winning pieces. Well done to everyone." John Dyer.

Winners of the Rainforest Birds & Animals contest were:

Overall winner: Carlotta Sopher (5 to 10 years);
Age 11-15yrs: Thea Neal (13);
Age5 to10: Joint: Nieve Hoskings (5) and Chloe-May Tyrell (10);
Age Under-5s: Ithan Hancock (2).

Runners-up:
Age 11 to15: Rhiannon Budzinska, Lucie Rutland-Brown, Charlie-Anne Riley
Age 5 to 10: Benjamin Payne, Anya Sandwell, Szyman Drozdzik
Age Under-5s: Bailey Davies, Eve Rowse, Isaac Champion

Courtesy www.thisiscornwall.co.uk