COLOURFUL creations compiled by skilled pupils have been used to promote Wales as a top tourist destination.

The Year of the Sea, a Welsh Government campaign, provided Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn with the opportunity to promote Wales as an epic coastal destination, with 230 beaches and an 870-mile coastal path.

Children were invited to enter art work to advertise the seas, lakes, rivers, legends and language of Wales.

The entries were judged by Claire Davies, a very successful local artist and owner of The Gallery in Aberdyfi, who awarded prizes of art pencils and pastels to the winning entries.

She had great difficulty in judging the completion, saying: “Well done to all who put in entries for the competition.

They were all of a high standard with plenty of variety so selecting a first, second and third was very hard.

“I made my decision by looking at what would have the best impact as an advert for Wales and its coastline.”

There were four accolades on the day.

Hatty Rushton and Charlie Rowlands came joint third with their artwork ‘The Sea Monster and the Turtle Batik’.

Alison Beard finished second with ‘Gobaith’ but Ella Nicholls made a splash with her winning entry.

Claire Davies said of Ella’s work: ”Mixed media painting. It has it all, sea life, Neptune and mermaid’s purses, all painted in gorgeous colours and in layers so the light shines through. Looks clean and fresh and would be a stunning picture for use on advertising.”

“I have very much enjoyed judging the artwork and am very much looking forward to exhibiting the artwork in The Gallery in Aberdyfi.”