PRINCE Charles has thrown his weight behind a competition to find talented young artists.

The Young Talent of Dorset Art Competition offers 15 to 18-year-olds the opportunity to enter their best artwork in a competition to take part in an exhibition at Dorset County Hospital and other venues around Dorset.

Arts in Hospital is launching the competition in order to further develop links with Dorset schools and to promote young artists in the county.

Prizes include a day in the studio of a local artist, the framing of artwork by Picturehouse UK and art materials donated by Herrings of Dorchester.

The Prince of Wales has agreed to be a patron of the competition.

Helena Conibear, who coordinates Friends of Arts in Hospital at Dorset County Hospital and founded the competition said: "We are very grateful for the support of the Prince of Wales and Humphries Kirk solicitors who have become patrons. The 37 schools across Dorset with GSCE and A-level arts students were polled earlier in the year to gauge their interest and we have been delighted by the response we have received.

"We are delighted to be creating a county prize for young artists aged between 15 and 18, which might help them gain entry to art college.

"It will also make them aware of the important role art plays in making people feel better.

"We believe this will prove an exciting way to discover new talent and give young people an opportunity to work with a leading artist - and from our point of view become aware of art projects in less obvious public spaces."

The theme of this year's competition is Natural Forms'.

Mrs Conibear said: "Medical research has shown that images of the natural world can aid recovery and reduce stress.

"Pieces can be created using a variety of mediums, including painting, textiles, ceramics, photography or mixed media."

There are two categories - ages 15-16 and ages 17-18.

Mrs Conibear added: "This is an exciting way to discover young talent in Dorset and to give young people the opportunity to show their work in a major public building.

"Dorset County Hospital has 2,000 staff serving a population of around 200,000 people in the area of West Dorset - the equivalent of more than half the population of Dorchester living, working or passing through one building on any given day."

Competition forms are being sent home with all eligible students at participating schools and are being distributed to galleries, libraries and art centres.

The closing date for entries is the September 30.