Young artists have been recognised for their creativity and commitment to keeping their communities safe, as the winners of a city-wide road safety banner competition were announced this week in Scarborough.

The initiative, which invited local primary schools to design eye-catching banners to promote messages such as safe crossing and responsible parking, received over 300 entries from pupils at six schools, including Barrowcliff School, Filey Junior School, Friarage Community Primary School, Gladstone Road Primary School, Seamer and Irton Community Primary School, and Lindhead School.

Year 4 pupil Freya Hammerton from Filey Junior School, won the top spot in the overall competition with a colourful and detailed banner.

Freya was presented with her certificate and prize by Police Community Support Officer Natalie Blacker and Community Safety Officer Karen Nattress, with headteacher Michael Taylor praising her “wonderful creativity and attention to detail”.

He said: “It was such a privilege to award Freya her certificate and prize for her wonderful creativity and detail in her entry.”

“This competition highlights how important road safety is, and how the school and children are both committed to ensuring that everyone in our community is safe when using the surrounding roads.”

The winning designs from each school will now be proudly displayed on fences and buildings at all 24 schools across the Scarborough area, spreading vital messages about road safety.

Rural Police Community Officer Anna Wilkinson said: “We are committed to keeping our roads safe, especially around schools where protecting children and their families is a top priority.”

Prizes for the winners were generously donated by Flamingo Land, Sea Life Scarborough Aquarium, Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park, North Yorkshire Water Park, and the Secret Realm soft play centre.