WYRE Forest schools linked with an environmental centre near Stourport have been asked to kick off their creativity to play for £5,500 worth of prizes.

Youngsters are being invited to come up with their own masterpieces using five footballs, given to each participating school by the Bishops Wood Centre, in Crossway Green, and electricity transmission company, National Grid.

The winning entry will receive £3,000 to spend on equipment, the runners-up get £1,500 and £1,000 will go to the artwork in third place.

The competition is only open to the schools who visit the centre, and not to the general public.

Chris Rogers, spokesman for National Grid, said: "We all take electricity for granted and so we hope the art competition will encourage children to consider all the work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure that power is always there when we want it."

The biggest power surge ever recorded came after England's agonising loss to West Germany at the semi-final stage of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, when Bobby Robson's team were second best in a penalty shootout.