BUDDING artists received some top tips on art and safety when children's illustrator Liz Million visited their Stockton school.
The author, who writes and illustrates children's books, visited Hartburn School to launch the annual Cleveland Police Art of Safety competition.
Now in its fifth year, the competition sees neighbourhood police teams visit schools across the force area to discuss with young people how they can make themselves and their neighbourhoods safer.
Children are then invited to draw or paint a picture based on the theme Keeping Our Neighbourhoods Safe at Christmas for the chance to win iPods and other prizes for themselves, and up to £1,500 for their school.
The overall winning design will be used as the force's Christmas card this year.
The author spent the morning leading a creative workshop with the children before passing on some tips on designing posters and cards.
"Children love drawing pictures and it's a wonderful way to stimulate their imagination and get them thinking about an issue, " she said.
Liz and the children also helped shoot a video which will allow all schools to benefit from her top tips for designing a poster or Christmas card.
Schools have until the end of the month to enter the competition.
The videos outlining details of the Art of Safety, and including tips from Liz, can be viewed at youtu.be/l1hykM5UlAg and youtu.be/DjAG9BQduq8
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