Thousands of pupils from schools in Oxfordshire have taken part in an art competition to raise money for Great Ormond Street’s Hospital charity.

Young Art Oxford runs a competition every year to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The competition aims to give young and aspiring artists an opportunity to put their creative talent to use and this year the theme was ‘Power’.

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This is Oxfordshire: Reggie Smith's winning pictureReggie Smith's winning picture (Image: Reggie Smith)

Young Art Oxford received nearly 3,000 entries from 39 state and independent schools, and they are exhibiting 600 works of art at The Newman Rooms in St Aldates.

Chair of Young Art Oxford, Paula Wallace, said: “We are so glad to see the Young Art Oxford competition going from strength to strength.

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“It’s wonderful to enable children to show off their artistic skills while raising funds for an important and deserving charity.

“Every year it is a pleasure to see the range of artistic styles, and the standard of this year’s submissions remains high.

This is Oxfordshire: Imogen Wooldridge won first prize for years five to sixImogen Wooldridge won first prize for years five to six (Image: Imogen Wooldridge)

“As ever, we are delighted to see entries of children from a wide range of backgrounds as we believe art should be enjoyed by all children.

“We would like to thank the Newman Rooms for allowing us to host the event, alongside all our supporters from local schools and businesses, and our sponsor Sporn Construction in particular.”

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This is Oxfordshire: Edward Lakin won first prize for the years seven to nine age categoryEdward Lakin won first prize for the years seven to nine age category (Image: Edward Lakin)

This year, for the second year running, the competition was won by Reggie Smith, a pupil at West Oxford Community School, who won first place in his age group with his piece depicting a volcano.

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Prizes were awarded to first, second and third in each of the four age categories from reception to year nine.

This is Oxfordshire: Benjamin Morgan won second prize in the years five to six age categoryBenjamin Morgan won second prize in the years five to six age category (Image: Benjamin Morgan)

Since 2008, Young Art Oxford has raised more than £150,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The annual exhibition offers young, aspiring artists the chance to have their work judged by well-known professionals and artists and to be exhibited at venues in central Oxford.

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This year, the judges included: Korky Pauk, illustrator of the Winnie the Witch series, Dr Sarah Simblet, professor of drawing at The Ruskin Art School and Mini Grey, writer and illustrator of children’s books and Andrew Hudson, director of Hudson Architecture Studio.

This is Oxfordshire: Reggie Smith's winning design last yearReggie Smith's winning design last year (Image: Reggie Smith)

The prints at the exhibition are up for sale and any donations will be given to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Donations can also be made via the exhibition's Just Giving Page.

Entry to the exhibition is free and on Saturday, May 13, doors will be open between 10am and 5pm.

The prize giving ceremony took place on Friday, May 12.