VISITORS to an art gallery and café are being encouraged to put pen to paper and draw pets on a postcard.

Sue Lim, owner of Blue-ginger in Cradley, near Malvern, is urging people to take part in the national Big Draw campaign and help raise money at the same time.

She said: “Last year we were delighted to have raised over £300 for Acorns Children’s Hospice and this year we aim to get more people drawing and raise even more.”

Pupils at local schools have already signed up to get their pencils and paints out and a panel of professional artists has agreed to be judges and they will decide on their favourite entries from the Cradley children’s work. The winners will then have their pictures framed for free.

Visitors to Blue-ginger can submit their entries until Sunday. Many local and professional artists have also promised to support the event and all entries will be up for auction during an exhibition to raise money for Acorns Children’s Hospice.

All the drawings will be on display at the gallery from Wednesday, October 14, until Sunday, October 25. An evening for final bids will take place on Saturday, October 24.

For more details visit blue-ginger.com, e-mail sue@blue-ginger.com or call 01886 880140.