SCHOOLCHILDREN enjoyed a free day out yesterday, thanks to their own artistic skills.

They were among many who entered the Big Draw competition at the World of James Herriot centre in Thirsk.

The competition was part of a campaign organised by the group Drawing Power, which is trying to get more people interested in art and drawing.

Youngsters from Sessay School created a 12ft-long piece of artwork depicting a day in the life of a vet, and their entry won them a day out at the centre.

Book tokens went to Raegan Shaw, a pupil from East Cowton School, who won the up to ten years category, Jasmin Burn, from Romanby Primary School, who won the 11 to 16 years category, and Kate Pawlett, of Thirsk, who won the 17 years-plus category