CREATIVE youngsters who impressed with their street art will be recognised at a ceremony in Dorchester next week.

West Dorset District Council chairman Gillian Summers will be handing out awards for her ‘good graffiti’ project at the authority’s offices in South Walks House on Thursday.

Cllr Summers launched the project last November in a bid to reduce vandalism and damage caused by unsightly graffiti and to channel the talents and energy of young people wanting to turn street art into something positive.

Projects were run in Dorch-ester, Bridport and Sherborne, with blank walls set up displaying the good graffiti logo.

The ceremony, which will recognise those involved in the project, will run from 6pm.

Artists and others involved will also get a chance to graffiti a car.

Neil Siford, of Bridport, and a group of friends are taking part in a fundraising competition for the British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK called Monaco or Bust.

Entrants buy a car for under £250, paint it and drive it to Monaco and Neil is giving those involved in the good graffiti project the chance to do the paint job.

Cllr Summers said: “The car will be sporting our good graffiti logo, will be painted in a Jurassic theme, and will be a wonderful way to round off our project.

“As well as giving street artists a legal way to express their art we will be contributing to two very good charities.

“I hope lots of residents will drop by between 6pm and 7.30pm to see the progress with the car.”

The ceremony will include a screen presentation with a message from musician Goldie.

There will be food and drinks available and posters featuring some of the best works produced during the project will be on sale.