ARTISTS by the Sea was the theme of this year’s Young Pavement Artist Competition which saw 150 students from eight Weymouth schools get creative on Weymouth Esplanade.

The event was a fundraising collaboration in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Students from Conifers Primary, St Augustines Catholic Primary, Holy Trinity Primary, Chickerell Academy, Wyke Regis Juniors, Southill Primary, St John’s School and Budmouth College had just two hours to create designs on the Esplanade near Greenhill Gardens.

Budmouth College events organiser and head of art, Vikki Gibson, said: “The day was really well-supported by friends and family of the students competing which created a real buzz.

“It was inspirational to see everyone working together to create such a vibrant and artistic public gallery.”

The judges were Mark Cavill and Pete Beard from Budmouth College and representative from the RNLI Salina Taylor.

Students were inspired by artists such as Warhol, Picasso, Munch, Van Gogh and Hockney as well as artistic movements such as Pop Art, Impressionism and Surrealism. The judges said students researched their ideas well and produced clever and inspirational designs. Vikki added: “We are delighted to have also raised £180 to support the lifeboats.”

The winners were: Budmouth – Jacob Hammond, Runner-up – Emma Perkins Chickerell – Ellie Hollings, Runner-up – India Sawtell Conifers – Olivia Brookes, Runner-up – Caila Kirkpatrick Holy Trinity – Alice Griffia, Runner-up – Cameron Hill St Augustines – Casey Perring-Hogg, Runner-up – Oliver Gillespie St Johns – Christine Medina, Runner-up – Oscar Lennon Southill – Alice Adams, Runner-up – Ella Fry Wyke Regis – Jay Oldridge, Runner-up – Henry Bell Best Banner winner – Conifers, Runner-up Budmouth Highly Commended - St Johns