ASPIRING young artists have a chance to showcase their work in a big way.

A competition has been launched in a bid to find creative little people to fill two billboards.

Artists can submit their entries now to the Bic Kids’ Big Picture Competition.

Now in its second year, the contest welcomes entrants aged five to 11 from across the country.

They are split into 13 regions, with the winner from each making it to the grand final.

The overall winner will then see their design travel across the country, being placed in billboard adverts for Bic.

The South East will host six billboards for the winner and two will be in Sussex – one in Brighton and the other in Portslade.

Young entrants are being encouraged to flex their creative muscles and draw with freedom.

Entries will be judged by a panel of people from the marketing, publishing and illustration industries and they will pick the 13 regional winners.

From there a public vote will decide the overall winner.

Points will be awarded to entrants based on their creativity, use of colour, composition and subject matter.

Rebecca Huda, of Bic Sationery, said: “Last year’s competition was a great success and we were overwhelmed by the quality of the artwork we received.

“We can’t wait for this year’s imaginative entries to start pouring in ready to be displayed across the country.

“There will be some proud parents for sure.”

The competition is being run in partnership with online parents’ forum Mumsnet.

Carrie Longton, co-founder of Mumsnet, said: “Following on from the success of last year’s competition we’re really excited to see what the creative kids across the UK have in store for us this summer.

“Sitting down with a pen and paper is such a formative experience and gives children a chance to let their imaginations run wild.

“Seeing something that you have created plastered on a massive billboard is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“If the standard is anything like last year then we are in for a treat.”

As well as the opportunity to have their work shown across the country, all 13 finalists will win a goodie bag designed to help them progress on their artistic careers.

Entries are open now and all work must be submitted to www.bickids.com/uk/youngartist by Sunday, August 5.

Regional finalists will be announced near the end of August.

The eventual winner will be crowned in late September, when their billboards will line the streets of the country.