YOUNG artists with an interest in astronomy and space are being invited to enter a unique competition as part of the North Pennines Stargazing Festival.

Presenter of the BBC’s The Sky at Night, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE is headlining the festival with an event at The Witham, in Barnard Castle, on October 20.

The North Pennines AONB Partnership is offering young people the opportunity to win an exclusive meet and greet with Dr Aderin-Pocock.

Just 10 young people and their accompanying adults will be invited to a reception event followed by a question and answer session, and will also receive tickets to the event itself, called The Science of the Moon and Stars.

There are two age categories, six to 12 years and 13 to 18 years, and entrants should produce a piece of visual art in any medium, no larger than A3, on a space or stargazing theme.

Entries can be posted or delivered to the North Pennines AONB Partnership office in Stanhope, dropped off at the Partnership’s Bowlees Visitor Centre or can be scanned and sent electronically.

The closing date is midnight on October 7, and the winner s will be informed by October 10.

Entries will be judged by Simon Wilson, Business Manager at the North Pennines AONB Partnership who is also an artist; Ann Whitfield, an artist based in Teesdale; and Teesdale photographer Martin Rogers.

The festival runs from October 20 until November 4.

For the full event programme and instructions on how to enter the competition, visit NorthPenninesStarFest.org.uk