UNDER 12s are being invited to take part in a Horrible Histories painting and drawing competition as part of this year's Chalke Valley History Festival.

The competition involves painting or drawing a group of historical figures which can be from any era and entries can be made by a individual child, group of friends, a class or an entire school.

Martin Brown, the illustrator of the popular Horrible Histories books, will be judging the competition.

He said: "I do enjoy judging children’s artwork competitions. Or rather, I love looking at children’s artwork. I’m actually not that keen on judging it. It’s too hard. Children’s drawing has something grown-up art rarely has - fun. Adults take it way too seriously. But judging fun is tricky.

"Drawing with the fun left in is one of the joys of being a cartoonist. And the more you have fun the more you draw. And the more you draw the better at drawing you get. It’s a win, win situation.

"Beyond that, cartooning is simply the best - and most underrated - art form there is. It is pictures and words. It is art and English. At its best, it crosses boundaries of fine art and high literature. At its simplest, it’s the most readily accessible introduction to any topic you wish to choose.

"So yes, I can’t wait to see what fun and brilliance the children have come up with for the fun and brilliant Chalke Valley History Festival. But I won’t be happy picking the one that I think is best.”

For the winning entry, the prize involves a chance to meet Brown, win £100 for your school, goodies from the publisher Scholastic and a printed copy of the poster.

Entries can be any size and any medium. Submissions must bear the chosen title of the entry and the author’s name and school on the back of each entry. Entries must be sent to Art Prize, Chalke Valley History Festival, Chalke Pyt Farm, Broad Chalke Salisbury, SP55ET.

The closing time and date for the competition is noon on Monday, June 8 and the winner will be announced at the Year 6 Schools Day on June 22, which is being supported by Canford.

Thousands of pupils from primary school to sixth formers visit the festival in the first half of the week on special days dedicated to different year groups, which includes talks by eminent historians and interactive living history and demonstrations.

The Chalke Valley History Festival is the largest festival dedicated entirely to history in the UK and runs from June 22 to 28. It will see more than 140 speakers, more than 110 talks and debates and over 300 historians and re-enactors.

The year 2015 is a year of many anniversaries and the festival will be marking all of them, from the 800th of Magna Carta and the 600th of Agincourt to the 200th of Waterloo, the 100th of Gallipoli and the 75th of the Battle of Britain.

For tickets, a full list of speakers and full details on the Horrible Histories competition visit cvhf.org.uk