A WORCESTER school is celebrating after two pupils beat more than 45,000 hopefuls to come top in prestigious art and writing competitions.

Conrad Clarke and Peter Siviter proved they were a cut above the rest after scooping the places in the two national competitions.

Ten-year-old Conrad beat 35,000 others to win first place in the Motivated Individual category of the national competition Artworks. The youngster was named first-prize winner during a ceremony at London's Tate Modern for his portfolio of watercolour paintings, textiles and 3D work.

On Monday, 11-year-old Peter was told he had beaten 13,000 youngsters in securing a place in the finals of the Staples' Christmas Book short story competition.

Richard Bellfield, headmaster at King's St Alban's Junior School - where the boys were attending when they produced their winning pieces - praised the pair, adding it would encourage others to follow their example.

"I am very pleased for the boys, this is a great achievement," he said.

"It demonstrates the work which is put in by the pupils and the support given by their family and staff at the school.

"Something like this can also give other children optimism as it shows them wonderful pieces of work which can make a difference can be produced by them."

He added the school would now be taking a trip to Walsall Art Gallery thanks to Conrad, of Harvington, near Evesham, who has used his winning prize of £300 to pay for the trip.

The youngster's award ceremony in London was also attended by his art teacher Nichola Cain, who was invited by Conrad's family.

"Going to the Tate Modern was great," said Conrad.

"I find art very relaxing, so I might look at studying design in the future."

Peter, of Hanley Castle, near Upton-upon-Severn, said he was very proud to get through to the finals and hoped his work would be picked as the winning short story.

The winning piece will be published in the Staples' Christmas Book, which will be sold to raise money for The National Autistic Society, Childline, The Ty Hafan Children's Hospice and Whizz-Kidz.

"I was really amazed when I was told I had got through," he said.

"Sometimes my work is good, sometimes it's bad.

"This was one of the good things."