SIX-year-olds from Colebrook Infant School in Swindon have been proving they are in a class of their own when it comes to producing modern art.

The budding young artists have come runners-up in a national competition organised by Unilever.

Their entry was a sculpture called Lily's Journey, created around the theme of Splash our Relationship with Water.

In coming runners-up the artists, Lily Humphreys, Jordan Armishaw, Ellis Milsom, Daniel Jermy, Catherine Knowles and Brandon Turner won Colebrook Infants £1,000 worth of art equipment.

The school's headteacher, Sue Carvey said: "We are highly delighted to be runners up in such a prestigious national art competition.

"As a school we place great importance on art and design and use it to enhance most areas of the curriculum.

"They are now looking forward to choosing lots of art equipment and materials to use at school."

The overall winners were a group of 10-year-olds from Wimbledon in Lon-don.

They will see their entry an expressionistic paper-based work displayed at the Tate Modern gallery in Decem-ber.

In addition they will represent the UK in the international stage of the competition.

In total, more than 14,000 young artists from 13 countries entered the competition.

Tim Marlow, one of the judges and director of exhibitions at the White Cube gallery in London, said: "We were impressed with the high standard of entries.

"The artists have really used their imagination and creativity to explore the subject of water in a variety of thoughtful and eye-catching styles.

"We found it particularly fascinating to see how the different cultural influences of children around the world shine through their artwork."

Niall FitzGerald, Unilever chairman, added: "We are deeply committed to encouraging creativity and the arts.

"This initiative is one of the largest international art projects for young people around the world, providing an opportunity for them to express themselves artistically at the same time as exploring their environment."

atate@newswilts.co.uk