young artists from Trowbridge and Warminster have been picked as the local winners of the 13th annual international peace poster competition run by the Lions.

Xanthia Hallissey, of the John of Gaunt School, was picked as the Trowbridge winner. She came top out of 60 entries from two tutor groups at the school.

Xanthia joins 11-year-olds Catriona Knight, of Kingdown School, and Harry Keen, of Warminster Preparatory School, who beat off competition from more than 100 youngsters in Warminster.

The three had to design a poster with the theme of lighting the path to world peace.

Warminster Lions Club president, Alec Bain, praised the contestants for their initiative, effort and artistic skills. He said: "It's obvious these young people have a clear idea of what peace means to them and an ability to communicate that through their paintings and drawings."

Their posters now go forward to the regional competition for south central England and the British winners will compete with world entries.

John Greenaway, of Trowbridge Lions, said: "It is surprising what they come up with. As a judge you have to think about the posters in terms of originality, relevance and artistic merit.

The Trowbridge judges were town mayor Jeff Osborn, John of Gaunt School headteacher Stephen Gee and Wiltshire Times editor Stephen White.