YOUNG people are getting in touch with their feelings as part of a competition to improve mental health.

Health promotion staff want children as young as four to learn how to express their emotions using art and poetry.

Many entries from Newcastle and North Tyneside youngsters will be displayed at Newcastle's Discovery Museum.

Newcastle and North Tyneside's young people's health promotion officer, David Miller, said: "Talking about their feelings could help children boost their self-esteem, self-control and self confidence, and give them power to make better choices.

"This competition also helps schools to raise emotional health awareness as an issue in the classroom."

The expressions competition, which has been organised by Newcastle and North Tyneside's World Mental Health Day planning group, is open to all schools in the area, and is tailored for children in key stages one and two.

The younger children, aged four to seven, are asked to do a painting with a few words describing their feelings.

And key stage two pupils, aged up to 11, will be asked to write a poem.

All schools are also being encouraged to take part in discussion groups and circle work to talk about the way to handle their feelings.

The winning entries will be selected by a panel of poets and storytellers, and prizes and certificates will be handed over at the Discovery Museum on World Mental Health Day, October 10.