YOUNGSTERS are being invited to get crafty with summer fruit and veg.

Produced in Kent, the champion of food and drink produced in the county, is inviting the county’s primary school children to create a summer fruit and veg masterpiece.

The best 10 will win prizes, while the overall winner will be presented with a photographic foodscape picture by TV food photographer Carl Warner.

The competition is open to primary school children, from Reception through to Year 6, and entrants are challenged to create their artwork out of seasonal and regional fruit and vegetables and photograph it.

Alternatively, they can make a collage using recycled materials and household waste, or children can paint or draw their picture, which can depict any subject.

Julie Monkman, manager of Produced in Kent, said: "The message about healthy eating and eating your five a day has really started to filter through to families, and increasingly both parents and children want to reduce their carbon footprint.

"By buying and using locally grown fruit and veg that is in season, families will not only be consuming healthier, fresher and more nutritious food, they will be helping to keep our county and the planet greener."

Children can find out what fruit and vegetables are in season at www.producedinkent.co.uk the Produced in Kent website,

To enter the competition, children can either submit electronic photographs of their work by email or send in their paper drawings or paintings to Produced in Kent’s headquarters at Bourne Grange Stables, Tonbridge Road, Hadlow, Tonbridge, TN11 0AU by Friday, September 18.

Children should clearly indicate their full name, school year group, the name of their school, age, a contact telephone number and email address. The overall winner and runner ups will be invited to the Food & Drink Festival in Canterbury on Saturday, September 26, where Mr Warner will present the prizes on the Produced in Kent exhibition stand.

In addition to the foodscape picture and a certificate, the winner will be awarded a £50 voucher by Great Art. A Great Art 12-pan colour box will be presented to the nine runners-up with certificates.