PROMOTION of art with an environmental theme has earned Bishops Wood Centre, near Stourport, a national award.

The accolade, which carried a £500 prize, recognised the centre's successful participation in last year's Big Draw, a countrywide event encouraging the public to get involved with the arts.

During the autumn, 1,000 people tried their hands at a variety of activities. Among items they made were twig pencils, bird mobiles and Christmas decorations. Visitors also made music with instruments built from recycled junk and listened to storytellers in the centre's ancient woodland. The climax of the event was the burning of charcoal tree shadows made by people taking part.

It had been organised by Jon Cree, education and training officer at Bishops Wood and Marian Gager, primary arts advisor for Worcestershire Local Education Authority.

They will attend the award ceremony, where they will receive the cash and a certificate at the National Gallery in London today.

Mr Cree said: "This award celebrates the good practice within Worcestershire and at Bishops Wood Centre in environmental arts.

"The Big Draw event was part of the Arts Beyond project run at the centre during October with the County Education Arts team and a group of inspiring artists.

"One of the huge successes of the weekend was seeing families taking time to share their inspiration from the woods around the centre.

"We will definitely be repeating the event this year."

Bishops Wood is part of the National Grid Transco Environmental Education Centre network.

It is run by Worcestershire County Council with the support of Friends of Bishop Wood, Worcester College of Technology and Transco.