YOUNG people in Hartlepool are being invited to use their artistic skills to mark Local Nature Reserves (LNR) Week.

A poster competition, open to children aged seven to 11, is being organised by Hartlepool Borough Council's countryside wardens to help promote the town's reserves.

There are five - Greatham Beck, Hart to Haswell Walkway, Hart Warren Dunes, Summerhill and Seaton Dunes and Common. The Spion Kop Cemetery in Central Estate is due to become the sixth.

The poster competition brief is to come up with an A4 design that encapsulates what local nature reserves are all about.

Joe Davies, the council's LNR officer, said: "This way we will be able to use the winning design at each of our five current sites, as well as future LNRs."

The winner will receive a bike and helmet up to the value of £150, thanks to the support from English Nature.

Further information is available by contacting (01429) 853325.

Published: 12/07/2004