CHILDREN are being invited to put their artistic skills to the test for a Remembrance display during November.

The Co-operative Funeralcare in London Road, Northwich, is running a competition for local primary school children.

They are asked to design poppies on paper plates, which the business will display, and there will be prizes for the judges’ favourites.

The idea for the competition came from funeral arranger Hazel Foster, who is also organising a seasonal competition in the run-up to Christmas.

“Children can create their poppies using any materials, and I would like them to be red, similar to the ones associated with Flanders Fields,” said Hazel, from Weaverham.

“We want to decorate the branch with the entries during the whole of November.”

Children are asked to submit their entries by Monday, October 20, and they will be judged by the end of that week.

There will be two categories, early years foundation stage and key stage one, and a second for key stage two children.

Each winner will receive arts and craft goodies worth £25.

Entries can be dropped off at the branch or posted, and should include a name, age or year group and contact phone number. The branch will not be able to return entries.

Hazel is also running a competition for children to create a seasonal scene on A4 paper or card.

There are three categories, early years foundation stage and key stage one, key stage two and key stage three, with a prize for the winner of each being an A3 canvas print of their entry.

Children are asked to submit their entries by December 1, and Hazel aims to have the prints created in time for Christmas.

Entries should include a name, age or year group, an address if children want their picture returned and a contact phone number.

“As a business we like to get involved in the community, and I thought involving children in creating a poppies display would be a nice thing to do,” said Hazel.

The branch opened in July, and is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. For details about the competitions ring 41833.