More than 150 art pieces made by local schoolchildren went on display as part of this year’s Whittlesey Festival.

Cambs Times: Some of the winners and finalists of this year's Whittlesey Festival schools art competition.Some of the winners and finalists of this year's Whittlesey Festival schools art competition. (Image: Archant)

Hundreds of people saw the creative work at the schools art exhibition, which went on display at Whittlesey Christian Church in Broad Street.

The schools that took part included New Road, Alderman Jacobs, Coates, Park Lane and Sir Harry Smith Community College.

Cash prizes, trophies, certificates and rosettes were awarded by the Mayor of Whittlesey, Councillor Julie Windle, on the day and winners had the opportunity to have their photograph taken together with the mayor and their artwork.

Cambs Times: Some of the winners and finalists of this year's Whittlesey Festival schools art competition.Some of the winners and finalists of this year's Whittlesey Festival schools art competition. (Image: Archant)

Marija Lysak, who organises the competition on behalf of the festival, said: “I’m constantly in awe of the artwork that is submitted and every year the standard seems to get higher.

“It’s such a great opportunity for the public to view and appreciate the work from local children and students.

“On behalf of the festival committee I would like to thank everyone who took part – they should be extremely proud of themselves and we look forward to next year”. Comments from visitors included ‘brilliant work by all age groups’ and ‘fantastic work - so much artistic talent in our local schools, budding young artists’.

Cambs Times: Some of the winners and finalists of this year's Whittlesey Festival schools art competition.Some of the winners and finalists of this year's Whittlesey Festival schools art competition. (Image: Archant)

“Every picture in this event shows the hard work and effort put in.

“Well done to them all for taking part and showing us what they can do.

“The competition judges certainly had an extremely hard task choosing the winners.”

Cambs Times: Some of the winners and finalists of this year's Whittlesey Festival schools art competition.Some of the winners and finalists of this year's Whittlesey Festival schools art competition. (Image: Archant)

The winners were:

Junior age 4-7 year category:

Cambs Times: Some of the winners and finalists of this year's Whittlesey Festival schools art competition.Some of the winners and finalists of this year's Whittlesey Festival schools art competition. (Image: Archant)

1st Finlay Gibson – New Road

2nd Sugi Simon – Park Lane

3rd Logan Winfield - Alderman Jacobs

Cambs Times: Some of the winners and finalists of this year's Whittlesey Festival schools art competition.Some of the winners and finalists of this year's Whittlesey Festival schools art competition. (Image: Archant)

Highly Commended: Oliver Speechley – Coates

Junior age 8-11 year category:

1st Jack Holland- Alderman Jacobs

2nd Jakey Bassam – Park Lane

3rd Meagan Mayo - Coates

Highly Commended: Maisie Edwin - Alderman Jacobs

Senior age 11-14 years category- Sir Harry Smith Community College

1st Olivia Philips

2nd Mathew Kosciecha

3rd Oliver Cross

Highly Commended – Harriet Tabor-Foxon

Senior age 15-18 years category – Sir Harry Smith Community College

1st Daniel Dickens

2nd- Jack Dryland

3rd Finn Marshall

Highly Commended: Lucy Palmer

For more information or to find out how you can get involved with next year’s festival (which takes place on September 8, 2019) contact Brian Smithyman on 01733 752093 or email brians@whittlesey.cc or Jenny Parker on 01733 351005.