ASPIRING artists have been given civic praise by the subject of their paintings.

The Mayor of Stockton, Councillor Mick Stoker, handed out prizes following a portrait workshop at St Bede's RC Primary School, in Stockton.

A group ranging in age from nine to 71 took part in the exercise, held as part of local democracy week, last month.

During the school assembly, Councillor Stoker presented the prizes to winners.

Winners of the category for youngsters were Curtis Bowes, Jade Hope, Wesley Chapman, Danielle Frater and Anthony Parker.

Winners in the adult category were Diane Easby, Len Walker and Freda Sanderson.

The workshop was aimed at raising awareness of Stockton's democratic system, with pupils and parents from St Bede's, and members of the Stockton International Family Centre Painting Group, asked to paint portraits of Stockton's mayor and deputy mayor.

The participants received expert tuition from artists Helen Shannon and Beth Davidson, who demonstrated different methods of portraiture using pencils, paints and photo manipulation techniques.

Coun Stoker said: "It was a good exercise and there were some excellent paintings - from young and old - some of whom had not picked up a paintbrush before."

The portraits were judged by the Coun Stoker, Deputy Mayor, Susan Fletcher and artists Helen and Beth.

The workshop was run by Stockton Borough Council's arts development service and was funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.