THREE Year 9 students from Okehampton College were successful in winning the Devon Community Cohesion competition, organised by Devon County Council.

The competition is aimed at helping bring awareness to combating anti-prejudice in the county.

The young artists were recognised on Friday when Dave Wright from the county council made a presentation at Okehampton College.

Sean Dennett, Ben Kerwin and Gary Parkhouse took part in an art project at the college, looking at the problems refugees face as part of a citizenship day. Subsequently, their poster was entered in the poster section of the competition.

The college's citizenship leader Mike Gurney said: 'In all, there were more than 90 entries into the poster competition. Judges were impressed with the quality of the entries but the poster from Sean, Ben and Gary was declared the winner.

'The college wins £500 to spend on art materials and the students will be invited next year to help the county team to develop a county-wide campaign, alongside a professional media company.

'The poster made by Meg Higgs, Willejmin Rademaker and Raychel Williams came a close second in the competition. They receive a commendation and they will be involved in the county's anti-prejudice campaign planning this school year.'

The posters from Okehampton have already been part of a display at County Hall and at the Exeter Respect Festival.