CHILDREN have used their creative skills to paint a picture of their future as part of a competition supported by an award-winning illustrator.

On Friday, a number of children will gather at Moredon and Rodbourne Cheney Library to find out who have been selected as the lucky winners.

Throughout December and January, children across Swindon were asked to draw a picture of what they would like to be when they grow up and hand it in at their local library.

The winners will receive a signed copy of the book When I Grow Up, by creators Tim Minchin and Steve Antony.

Swindon Libraries Children’s Patron, Steve Antony, said: “I really enjoy meeting with my local librarians to brainstorm fun and creative projects. This particular project has been great fun.

“From footballers and fairies to YouTubers and teachers, the mounds of entries to our When I Grow Up art competition are simply brilliant. Picking winners was not easy!”

Coun Mary Martin, cabinet member for communities and place, said: “Given the large amount of wonderful entries, I’m sure that choosing winners was quite the challenge, but I hope that everyone who took part enjoyed designing their entries.

“I’d like to thank creators of the book Steve Antony and Tim Minchin for encouraging children to think about their futures and to put their creative thoughts and ambitions onto paper.”

The National Literacy Trust, an independent charity that works with schools to improve literacy skills among children, recently teamed up with the Council and opened a National Literacy Trust Hub known as Swindon Stories.

Anish Harrison, manager of Swindon Stories, said: “Swindon Stories is a great supporter of libraries and this competition, which supports creativity through reading.

“Reading for pleasure is one of the most positive things we can encourage in our children and it’s wonderful that we have talent such as Steve Antony to inspire our young people in this way.”