WINNERS of a school art competition were flying high at a special prize-giving ceremony.

Pupils from 10 Winchester schools entered the “Birds in Winchester” Art Competition organised by youth conservation charity the Cameron Bespolka Trust.

A ceremony hosted by The Pilgrims’ School saw 45 prizes awarded, to pupils aged seven to 13, and an additional 30 were commended for their hard work and creativity.

First prize was awarded to Thea Middleton from Year 3 at All Saints School for her painting of an owl and was awarded a pair of binoculars donated by RSPB.

St. Bede won the School prize and were awarded with an enormous bag of wild bird feed supplied by Pets Corner.

All entries were displayed at Pilgrims’ on the day.

The winners will be exhibited at the Art in Nature Exhibition organised by the Cameron Bespolka Trust at Jardinique in May.

“We were incredibly impressed with the high standard of entry and creativity,” said judge, Sharon Harvey, who along with Puff Morgan-Giles and former Pilgrims’ Head of Art Jane Jenner, chose the winners.

“We were so grateful to Pilgrims’ for hosting this event and were blown away by the beautiful birds we received. A very meaningful tribute to Cameron. I strongly believe that art is a wonderful way of observing and creating a connection with nature,” added Corinne Bespolka, Cameron’s mother.

Participating schools: St. Faith’s, All Saints, Weeke, St Bede, Kings’, Henry Beaufort, Western, St.Swithun’s Junior, Prince’s Mead, The Pilgrims’.