YOUNG people are making art out of a ring to celebrate the countdown to the 2012 Olympics.

Gravesham Council has sent pieces of paper featuring a circle to students aged five to 19 across the borough and invited them to turn it into a picture of something that inspires them.

They can then send their pictures to the council and up to 1,000 will be chosen to be displayed at a venue yet to be decided from December 3.

The competition was launched at the Meapa Gymnastics Centre, which hopes to host an Olympic team in 2012.

It is part of the council’s Go Gravesham campaign, which aims to make the most out of the borough’s close proximity to the site of the Games.

Cabinet member for young Gravesham, Councillor Laura Hryniewicz, said: “The 1,000 rings competition will be part of our legacy, showing off some of the best talent in the borough before the athletes even arrive.”