Ref.10254BUDDING artists at Colerne Primary School took part in the sixth annual art awards in memory of local artist Helen Crane last Friday.

The awards were set up for the school six years ago by a group of trustees after Mrs Crane died of cancer.

A teacher, Mrs Crane lived in Colerne, and was very interested in the development of art in young children.

Her lifelong friend Danny Danns helps to organise the awards for Colerne schoolchildren every year.

Each year a theme is set in September and the children produce pieces of art in their lessons to submit for the awards at the end of the school year.

Headteacher Anne Orme said: "The pupils really look forward to it and there is a lot of anticipation on the awards day."

Each year there are three age categories, a collage category and an overall winner. This year the theme was the natural world.

This year Sophie Surrey won her class and was the overall winner.

Mrs Orme said: "She did the most beautiful picture of a dolphin swimming through the water.

"It was fantastic. Absolutely spectacular."

The winner of the collage category was Amy Johnson.

Emma Buntings won the age four to six years class, and Amber Checkley won the age seven to nine years class.

The awards were presented by Lt Col Ivan Hooper, the Commanding Officer of 21 Signals at Colerne.