WIRRAL pupils are being asked to use their artistic talents to highlight the importance of gas safety in a competition by National Grid.

Schoolchildren aged five to 11 are being encouraged to produce an eye-catching poster, poem or any other creative that warns of the dangers of carbon monoxide gas.

National winners will receive £300 for themselves and £600 for their school while local area champs will get £150 and £300 for their school.

National Grid gas spokesman Phil Burrows said: “Sadly each year lives are lost and many other people have to be admitted to hospital and suffer health problems because of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

“However this could be avoided if awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide was better known and people took some simple precautions such as getting their gas appliances checked each year by a Gas Safe registered engineer and having a carbon monoxide alarm.

“We hope the competition will be an enjoyable way to improve awareness and I would encourage as many children as possible to enter.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to have some fun, exercise their creative talents and have the chance of winning some great prizes while relaying an important safety message.”

Entries can be emailed to coschoolcompetition@energynetworks.org before the closing date on Friday, May 5.

For more visit http://bit.ly/COSchoolSafetyComp