TALENTED youngsters who excelled in art and writing competitions run by Cockermouth Rotary Club have been presented with prizes and certificates.

The club runs various competitions throughout the year.

Paul Lack, of the Youth Services Committee, said: "We like to provide our local schools with the opportunity to compete in a range of activities, so that all year groups in school can be involved during the course of the year.

"Years 1 and 2 compete in the Young Artist competition, Years 3, 4 and 5 the Young Poet and Year 6 the Young Writer competition, which feeds into the Rotary District stage of the National Competition."

Seven primary schools in the Cockermouth area entered pupils' work in the writing competition.

The task was to produce a piece of writing of up to 500 words entitled My Inspiration.

"The entries covered a wide range of ideas that were well expressed," said Paul.

"Two pieces of work received identical marks and could not be separated so we had two winners."

Millie Kinghan, of Bridekirk Dovenby Primary School, wrote about Rosa Parks, who became famous for her stance against racial segregation in America during the 1950s.

Kai Vincent, from Dean C of E School, wrote a piece about rally driver Colin McRae.

This year's theme in the young artist contest was the Beauty of Nature - Shades of Autumn, seven schools entered work.

The overall winner was Emily Cookson, of Broughton Primary School Academy. Runner up was Shaiann White, from St Bridget's C of E Primary School, Brigham.

"The standard of the paintings entered was excellent and it proved to be very difficult to choose a winner," said Paul.

"However, the winning entry from Emily Cookson gained the highest marks for her wonderful painting of a hedgehog surrounded by autumn leaves."

The children received certificates and prizes at presentations at their school.