CHILDREN can win a place at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games in August by putting pen to paper.

Visa UK is running an art competition for young people aged between nine and 13 in the North-west.

They are being asked to draw or paint their ideas of how they think the Olympic Games help to create a better future.

One winner from the region will attend the final on April 24 at London Zoo with Sir Steve Redgrave.

Entries must be no larger than 42cm x 42cm, created on paper or poster-board only and accompanied by one paragraph of 50 words or less on how the image represents these ideas. The entry form is available from www.visavoi.co.uk and the closing date is March 31.