A PUPIL from Ilkley's Westville House School has been awarded prizes for his artistic talents in the 21st Walker Morris Children's Calendar Competition.

The law firm announced the winners of its annual painting contest during a special presentation ceremony, held at its offices in Leeds, on November 7.

The 13 winners – one for each month of the year plus the front page – were all presented with a hamper full of artists' materials worth £50, plus a cheque for their school for £250. The 26 runners-up also received a prize each.

Ten-year-old Alexander Peden, from Westville House School, was announced as the December winner. He was presented with prizes and will see his artwork printed in the 2016 calendar.

All primary school-aged children from the Yorkshire and Humber region are invited to enter the competition each year by painting their favourite month of the year. The winning paintings are used to produce a calendar sold in aid of Martin House Children's Hospice, which cares for children and young people with progressive life-limiting illnesses, and provides support to their families.

The three judges – internationally-renowned Yorkshire artist Ashley Jackson, Walker Morris partner David Smedley and Dean Poole from West Yorkshire Printing – presented the prizes.

Mr Smedley said: "2016 will be our 21st Walker Morris Charity Calendar, so it truly has come of age.

"I would like to thank all the entrants to the competition for their efforts and taking the time to enter, and congratulations to the winners and runners-up, whose paintings were extremely impressive. Twenty-one years of the calendar competition has taught us what a rich vein of talent the young children in our region possess.

"Perhaps the greatest lesson we’ve learned during the past 21 years is the importance of collaboration. Collaboration lies at the heart of the success and longevity of the calendar – between the teachers and headteachers, who work enthusiastically with the children on a daily basis, and the parents, who provide their children with the encouragement they need. Between our judges, our printer and Walker Morris staff in selecting and producing the final calendar. I would like to thank them all for helping the unfettered creativity of our young people room to develop."

Ashley Jackson said: "During the 21 years of the Walker Morris Charity Calendar, it has been a privilege to judge such impressive artwork amongst the submissions, for although winning is fantastic, the act of taking part is just as fulfilling, and I can assure entrants every child's piece of art was looked at and valued for its creativity and individuality.

"It is, of course, a very proud moment tinged with emotion when the calendar reaches print as the children's art is importantly used to raise funds for St Martin's Children's Hospice, so please purchase a calendar and know you are making a difference to so many young lives. This is truly Yorkshire and Humber region at its best."

Calendars are now on sale for £5. E-mail emily.gouldthorpe@walkermorris.co.uk or call 0113 2832500 for more details.