FOUR schoolchildren from Dorset have been shortlisted for their logo designs representing worldwide sailing event Bart’s Bash.

The event, which aims to break a world record in memory of Olympian Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson, has gained the backing of more than 200 clubs worldwide and aims to unite sailors and clubs to take part in a simultaneous dinghy race.

It was dreamed up in the wake of the tragic death of Simpson, who drowned while competing in the America’s Cup.

With his sailing partner Iain Percy, Simpson won a gold medal at the Beijing Games and a silver at London 2012.

Following the search to find a logo to globally represent Bart’s Bash, 10 designs have been shortlisted including four from schoolchildren across Dorset.

More than 65 entries were received from a wide range of people including professional graphic designers, adults and children as young as five.

The four children’s designs shortlisted are from Year 6 student Ben Cochrane from Gillingham Primary School, Year 5 student Sophie Kyriacou from Sandford St Martin’s Primary school near Wareham, Lewis Price-Nutman who is in Year 6 at Sherborne Abbey Primary school and Year 8 student from St Edward’s school in Poole, James Scott.

Event manager for Bart’s Bash, Tim Anderton, said: “The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation is very grateful to all those who took the time and effort to create and submit a design, and particularly delighted that so many school children entered.

“The shortlisted entries have all been put forward for the public vote through the Bart’s Bash Facebook page and the public have until midnight on January 25 to have their say.

“The top three designs will then be put before the trustees of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation who will make the final decision.”

To sign up email tim@bartsbash.co.uk or visit bartsbash.co.uk or to vote for a logo design go online to facebook.com/bartsbash