TWO teenagers are celebrating after coming first in a national art and poetry competition.

St Ursula’s Convent School pupils Chelsea Smith, 12, and 14-year-old Tho Nguyen were both awarded first prize in their age categories.

Campaign group Animal Aid launched the competition around the theme ‘Is it right to eat animals?’, to encourage young people to express their views on the controversial subject.

More than 200 schools and individuals, aged 11 to 16, entered their paintings and poetry pieces into three age categories.

Organiser Kelly Slade said: “Young people feel passionately about the welfare of animals and clearly recognise the impact their food choices have for farmed animals.

“The artwork we received was exciting, imaginative and bold, and revealed a thoughtful and compassionate younger generation.”