WINNERS of a competition to add a splash of colour into drawings of Colchester's famous landmarks have been announced.

Discover Colchester was set up by Colchester's MP Will Quince and Lion Walk Shopping Centre's manager Martin Leatherdale.

The project, which launched in February, involved two activity books entitled Discover Colchester which were free for families.

One activity book featured ten illustrations of Colchester landmarks for colouring and the second book had a series of questions to accompany the drawings.

Gazette:

Blue - Lauren Maddley, aged 10, won a prize for her Tymperley's landmark transposition

Hundreds of entries were sent in for judging and the winners have now been announced.

The winner of the most colourful category was handed to Ela Goksu, eight, for her colouring of Colchester Zoo.

First place for the most creative category went to Lauren Maddley, ten, who coloured in Tymperley's.

The most life like drawing went to Zoyaa Ali, 12, for her colouring of Colchester Castle.

They received a £50 Love2Shop voucher each.

Mr Quince said: "I put together the Discover Colchester project to celebrate our town’s unique heritage and set some questions which I hoped would inspire a new generation to find out more about their home town.

Gazette:

Bright - first place goes to Ela Goksu, aged 8, with this fantastic colouring of a Colchester Zoo enclosure

"Whether it is colouring in the ten wonderful illustrations by local artist Veronica de Vera or researching the history of these famous Colchester landmarks, I hope that these activities have given young Colcestrians a thought provoking lock-down project and parents a little time off."

Martin Leatherdale, Lion Walk Centre manger, said: "We live in a beautiful town, steeped in history, with an amazing community spirit.

"Lockdown presented a challenge for us all, and it has been a pleasure to use this time to support the young people of Colchester - embracing and engaging with our incredible history and culture.

"I hope you have had fun drawing and learning. A massive thanks to all the entries and congratulations to the winners."