ALTON’S Allen Gallery was buzzing with excitement last Saturday as the prizes for its children’s art competition were awarded.

Attracting nearly 100 entries, the competition, now an annual event, was based on the theme ‘Kings and Queens’ and the entries certainly did justice to their subject. Pictures ranged from Queen Elsa in the film ‘Frozen’ to the Skeleton King and from playing cards to the King of the Jungle.

The difficult task of judging was undertaken by Ross McGauran and Rebecca Parrant, of the Hampshire Cultural Trust.

Ross said: “It was a privilege to judge such a wonderful collection of artwork and we took great enjoyment from looking at all the entries. All the artwork was of a high standard, which made choosing the winners very difficult. Well done to everyone who entered, you all did wonderfully well!”

The pictures were judged in two categories – five to seven year olds and eight to 11 year olds – and the prizes were handed out by Alton deputy mayor Dean Phillips.

Mallory Eagle was the winner of the five to seven year olds category with Ameilia Wilkinson runner-up, while Anna Evans won the overall first prize as well as taking top honour in the eight to 11-year-old category with Lili Johnson named as the runner-up.

Jamie Allen, manager of the Curtis Museum and Allen Gallery, thanked Alternative Packaging Solutions of Alton who donated all the art equipment prizes.

The exhibition of all the entries is on display at the Allen Gallery on Church Street until Saturday, February 25.