IT can be quite an arduous task for parents trying to keep children occupied at home while off school.

But one way to keep them entertained is to ask them to draw a poster showing their favourite place in Cheshire.

The Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership (MCCRP) is asking budding young artists to send in their artwork as part of the My Cheshire Poster Awards.

And as well as all winners and runners-up receiving a professional set of coloured pencils, the two overall winners will see their designs adorn 12 station platforms on the mid Cheshire line connecting Chester and Manchester.

The partnership has teamed up with Chester artist Nicky Thompson to design the awards, which are open to all Cheshire children aged between four and 11.

John Hulme, MCCRP member and president of Cheshire Best Kept Stations, said: “We hope this project will help teachers and parents by providing an interesting art project to work on with their children.

“The competition is open to all school children up to 11, no matter which city, town or village you come from.

“All we ask is that the painting is of your favourite place in Cheshire.

“We are working on something really special for the prize giving event, so watch this space.”

David Briggs, the Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, added: “This Art Competition has my full support, and I am looking forward to seeing our children’s paintings of beautiful Cheshire.

“In these fast-changing times, this is a fantastic opportunity to bring out the best in our children and a unique way of keeping them occupied.

“I wish everyone who enters this competition every success.”

Entry to the competition is open until Friday, May 1, and entries will be judged by Nicky Thompson, John Hulme and Katrina Michel, director of CH1 ChesterBID.

The awards are split into two age categories – four to seven and eight to 11 - with a winner and two runners up in each bracket.

To enter, visit nickythompsonart.co.uk/mcpcomp and download the template. There is also a downloadable teacher resource.