HUNDREDS of children, Aids awareness campaigners and other guests have visited a museum for an art competition.

They visited the Discovery Museum, in Newcastle, to mark the fourth Eyes Open art competition held on World Aids Day.

More than 200 entries were received on the theme of HIV and You, and will be displayed at the museum until Sunday, December 10. Entry is free.

The winners were announced by Ferdinand Gothard, a headteacher from Tanzania whose school has been affected by the African Aids pandemic.

Mr Gothard said: "I am delighted to see so many people committed to spreading the message of Aids awareness. It is wonderful to see so many fantastic works of art from children, young people and adults from this welcoming part of England.

"The artworks are thought-provoking, very personal and very creative -and an art competition is a great way of engaging with people of all ages, races and backgrounds to think about how HIV affects our local communities and our countries. HIV continues to affect a huge number of people worldwide, particularly in Tanzania."

The winners were presented with gift vouchers and a sculpture by local glass artist Cate Watkinson.

The competition was open to anyone aged 11 and above in County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, and North Tyneside.