ART work at a school has been celebrated with a competition.

Each year North Cotswolds Rotary Club sponsors a young artist competition at The Cotswold School, Bourton-on-the-Water, and this year the theme was Portraiture.

Entries were divided into three age categories, with winners chosen for each category, together with an overall winner.

The overall winner was Esme Palmer, whose portrait of a young child with flowers in her hair captured the hearts of the judges.

Esme, now in year 12, is studying Art, Psychology, History and English Literature.

Joining Rotarian judges Bob Hadley and Mike Boyes was Emma Gorton, an artist and designer herself and formerly a student at the school.

She specialises in drawing striking pet portraits in charcoal pencil.

“I always strive to really capture the essence of an animal’s character”, she said.

“A number of the entries showing both technical competence and imagination, and the best of these also conveyed a sense of emotion and feeling,” said Mr Boyes.

The Key Stage 3 winner was Isabel Kiey-Thomas, with Callum Woolley second and at GCSE level, the winner was Esme Palmer, with Hal Pett second. Megan Webster won the Sixth Form award, with Agnes Von Kindt Rohde second.

“The winners and all those who took part are a credit to The Cotswold School,” said Mr Hadley.