THREE talented Worcester youngsters have been chosen as the winners of a competition celebrating the Queen’s visit to the Faithful City.

Your Worcester News asked schoolchildren to draw or paint a picture of Her Majesty ahead of her arrival in the city today.

We were inundated with entries and asked our readers to choose their favourite in three age categories 0-5 years, 6-11 years and 11-16 years.

The voting has now closed and today we can reveal the three lucky winners, who will each receive a family ticket to West Midland Safari Park.

Four-year-old Joshua Sanders’ collage of the Queen was the picture that most impressed readers in the 0-5 years category.

Proud mum Olivia, of Warndon Villages, said: “They have been doing lots of work at his nursery on the Queen. He went to his gran’s street party so he’s heard quite a lot about the Queen.

“We looked at her picture on the internet and we did a collage of his dad Tom for Father’s Day so he thought he’d do the same for this.

“We’re just delighted for Joshua. I think it’s nice that we’re celebrating the Queen’s visit.

"The Hive is going to be fantastic for this city. Joshua will be going down today with his nan Ros.”

The winner of the 6-11 years category was Oldbury Park Primary School pupil Jake Bennett, whose brightly coloured pencil drawing was a hit with readers.

The six-year-old’s mum, Sally, of St John’s, said he loved to draw.

She said: “Jake has been doing a lot about the Queen at school, where he drew a portrait of her and came third in a competition. He decided to draw another one for this competition.

“We’re really pleased for him. Jake just loves colouring – it’s his favourite thing.

"I think it’s really good the Worcester News is doing this competition and the Queen’s visit is good for the city.”

And it was 13-year-old James Brown, of Ronkswood, who won the public vote in the 11-16 years category.

Delighted dad Paul said he hoped James, who attends Nunnery Wood High School, would have the chance to see the Queen today.

He said: “It’s a nice thing for us to have the Queen visiting Worcester.

The last time I saw her here was when she gave Maundy money.

“It would be nice for the kids to go down to see her.”

Mum Tina added: “We’re very proud of James. He’s just had an award at school in recognition of his effort. He really does work hard at school so this is a lovely reward for that.”

l Parents (and relatives) of all the entrants to our competition can buy a unique souvenir of the Queen’s visit to Worcester – a top-quality photographic print of their child’s portrait of the monarch.

Have your credit card handy then go to our photosales site at worcesternews.newsprints.co.uk

You will be able to view your child’s picture in the Queen’s Portraits section of the site, and can then order it using the simple online instructions.

Alternatively, call us on 01905 742397.

Have your credit card and appropriate voting number from this supplement handy – and we’ll do the rest.

Prints are available at a wide range of sizes and prices, with savings for multiple orders.

• Click here for our special page to mark the Queen's visit.