Children across Norfolk are being given the chance to take part in an Olympics inspired competition that could see their work displayed at a city art gallery.

Organised by the county council, it will see winning works displayed at Norwich's Castle Museum. The competition is open to all children and young people in the county and each category winner will win a visit from an artist to their school.

A number of other pieces will also be displayed in the county's mobile libraries.

Alison Thomas, county council cabinet member for children's services said successful youngsters would have their artwork seen by people from across Norfolk, the country and even overseas. She added: 'It also gives schools and their pupils a chance to capture the spirit of the Games, think about its history, its purpose and the significance of having such a high profile event in their home nation.'

There are three categories in the competition, and winners will be chosen for each school key stage.

The categories are:

Works that represent one of the Olympic and Paralympic values of excellence, friendship, respect, courage, determination, quality and inspiration.

Works that represent an Olympian or Paralympian, past or present.

And works on the theme of the Olympic torch relay, which will pass through Norfolk.

Children and young people can enter art in any media, as long as it is two-dimensional and in A4, A3 or A2 sizes.

The competition closes on Friday March 22 and winners in each category will have their work displayed at the Castle in the summer term, ahead of the opening of the London Olympics.

Mrs Thomas added: 'We are keen for schools to use the many educational opportunities the Olympic and Paralympic Games present across the curriculum, whether it is sport, art, maths, English or citizenship. We hope that schools will embrace this competition and would urge as many young people as possible to take part.'