THE UK's largest coach operator is calling on Ivybridge children to enter an exciting new national drawing competition.

National Express has launched its Colour the Coach Competition in the town to give youngsters the chance to have their designs seen by thousands of holidaymakers.

The company, with the help of local artist Jenny Urquhart, is now urging ­children to unleash their imaginations and draw a ­picture of their ideal holiday.

The best pictures will become part of a one-off ­livery to be featured on one of National Express's white airport-bound coaches.

Each winner will also be handed a cheque for £50 – enough to get their own summer holiday off to a ­flying start.

Jenny, who has two boys, Monty and Charlie, aged seven and nine, will be judging the entries from Ivybridge.

She kicked off the competition by designing her own ideal holiday, complete with a National Express coach in the picture, to help inspire the entrants.

'I'm so thrilled to have been selected by National Express to launch its summer drawing competition and can't wait see all the ­talent Ivybridge has to offer,' said Jenny. 'It's such an exciting opportunity for kids to have their drawings seen by thousands of people and it's going to be amazing seeing the winning design on a moving canvas.

'There are no rules in art – I'd say just go for it and don't be afraid to use your imagination.

'Just remember, you don't have to be the best artist in the world to produce a picture people love.'

National Express UK coach managing director Tom Stables said: 'We're calling on children from Ivybridge to conjure up all their creativity to design an entry that wows us and inspires passengers heading away for the summer break. It would be so exciting

to see a local youngster's design roll past every day.'

The competition is open to children aged between five and 15 and all entrants need do is simply draw their ideal holiday.

Entries to the competition must be landscape designs on A4 paper and need to be sent to National Express Coach Art Competition, National Express House, Mill Lane, Birmingham B5 6DD. Alternatively, you can scan the entry and email it to competitions@national express.com before Monday, July 27.