ILKLEY sisters Olivia and Erin Rix have been crowned winners of this year’s Ilkley Carnival creative competition.

Artwork from the Moorfield School pupils was amongst over 100 entries from local schools including Sacred Heart, Ashlands Primary and Westville House which was created to represent The Coronation theme of this year’s Ilkley Carnival.

The pencil crayoned illustration created by Olivia, aged 11 was declared the overall winner by the Ilkley Carnival committee for its depiction of Ilkley’s iconic landmarks including the old bridge, Ilkley Lido, the bandstand, the Cow and Calf, Ilkley Moor and Christchurch – all encased within King Charles’ crown.

Olivia’s picture will adorn the programme of the May 1 Ilkley Carnival which is expected to be distributed to the event’s 10,000 visitors. Seven-year-old Erin created a vibrant, painted entry featuring the Coronation crown within the Union Flag and a Red Arrows flypast all set against the backdrop of Ilkley’s rural landscape.

Carnival chair Andrew Stacey said: “Once again we had an impressive array of entries – and we’d like to thank all of our local school children for their fabulous efforts.

“Olivia was the overall winner because she so beautifully wrapped up Ilkley’s character within King Charles’ crown, giving us the perfect blend of all that this year’s carnival represents – Ilkley’s community spirit and natural beauty alongside the national celebrations of this historic Coronation.”

He added: “Erin’s artwork was beautifully created and again blended the visuals of Ilkley alongside the Union Flag and the crown. The sisters are clearly talented artists and we’re delighted that this competition, just like the carnival, has been such a family affair!”

Ilkley Carnival, sponsored by High Speed Training, will take place on 1st May, beginning with a 1,000 strong parade along The Grove which finishes at East Holmes Fields parade ground on Denton Road, where family entertainment will run throughout the day. Main events include the annual dog show, Bradford Grammar Junior School Craft Tent, Ilkley Rocks featuring live local bands and the Knights of Albion Steamhorse Stunt Team.

Olivia, who received an art set prize from Bradford Grammar and will be taking her classmates for a specially created arts class at the school in June, said: “I feel so excited and honoured that my design has been chosen as overall winner. I chose to include all of the places in Ilkley that I have happy memories of, such as walking on the moors with my family and playing the piano with my sister at Christchurch in the Wharfedale Music Festival.”

Erin added: “I am very happy to be winner of my age category but very proud of my sister too.”

Competition winners receive their artwork framed by Weaverbirds in Ilkley and Special Commendation has been awarded to Sheffield-based Mehera Arunprabhu whose passion for drawing led her family to find the Carnival’s competition online. Her regal, animal-themed picture captured the hearts of the judges and it joins other entries currently on display in the entrance at Booths supermarket on Leeds Road.

Bradford Grammar School Art teacher Rachel Hunter added: “It’s always a joy to be involved in a competition which encourages young people to get creative and celebrate such a historic local event, which this year has a national theme and will see the start of the district’s Coronation celebrations!”

All profits raised from Ilkley Carnival go back into the community and the event is made possible with sponsorship and support from local organisations including Ilkley BID, Bradford Grammar School, Aireborough Skip Hire and Mayfield View Ilkley.

For more information, visit the carnival’s website on www.ilkleycarnival.org and to keep updated with all the news follow @IlkleyCarnival on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.