Youngsters across Essex and Suffolk are invited to take part in a world war-themed art competition.

Organised by the East Anglia region of ABF The Soldier’s Charity, the Remembering our Soldiers competition will commemorate the First World War centenary and 70th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem.

The winning artist will receive family tickets to the Colchester Military Tournament on July 5-6, fundraising for the charity.

Held on Abbey Field the two-day family show has a jam-packed performance programme featuring a visit from the BBC’s World War One at Home tour bus, a Spitfire fly past, the Red Devils parachute team and stunts from Bolddog Lings Freestyle Motocross team.

To take part children aged 11 and under must draw a scene, soldier or object which is linked to either world war on a piece of A5 card, paper or on an iPad and submit it by Friday June 6.

Next month a selection of the entries received will be put on display in Lion Walk Shopping Centre, Colchester, and shortlisted entries will form part of a pull-out poster included within the Colchester Military Tournament’s souvenir event brochure. Entries will be judged in two age groups with winners chosen by a panel of local business people.

Major Peter Harclerode, regional director East Anglia for The Soldiers’ Charity, said: “This competition is a fun way to educate our younger generation on what happened during both world wars, and we hope to encourage as many entries as possible.

“We have a number of local primary schools already signed up but the competition is also open to individual entries. With a bank holiday and May half term coming up, this is a perfect time for parents to encourage their children to get arty.”

A competition pack is available at the Colchester Military Tournament website or call Gemma Rawlinson on 01206 841933 for more details. Early bird tickets for the tournament are also available online or in regional tourist information centres.