A YOUNGSTER from north Durham has been named as the North-East winner of a charity art competition.

Five-year-old Sarah Brown, from St Patrick’s RC Primary School, Dipton, near Stanley, took part in Marie Curie Cancer Care’s Paint Your Mini Pot competition.

She was selected for her creative daffodil pot design as part of the Mini Pots of Care fundraising activity for schools and groups for children aged three-11.

Sarah was awarded an Art and Go painting kit prize, a cuddly Fetch dog mascot and her school received £50 in book vouchers.

Jane Dennison from Marie Curie said "Judging the competition has not been easy, as the standard of entries were so high. "I cannot believe how old Sarah is as her painting is remarkable and it is a pleasure to be able to present Sarah with her prize."

Last autumn, children planted a daffodil bulb in their own mini pot which they nurtured throughout the winter to reflect the care that Marie Curie Nurses provide to terminally ill patients.

In spring when the flowers bloom the children painted their pots for the charity’s national ‘Paint Your Mini Pot’ day before taking their pots home to someone they care about, in return for a donation to the charity.

The most creative pot designs were then put forward by schools and groups to enter a regional competition which was judged by a Marie Curie Cancer Care fundraiser.