SPEECH House Hotel had some extra colour to brighten its Verderers Court thanks to the creativity of local schoolchildren.

Some 82 pupils at Hearts of the Forest School drew pictures for an art exhibition set up for the second year by the Forest of Dean and Severn Dean Lions Club.

The pictures of firework displays coincided with the club’s display they held in the field at Speech House last month.

Judge and Speech House proprietor Peter Hands had the tough job of choosing the winners.

In the end he chose Jack Brown (first), Joshua Hughes (second) and Tessa Mitchell (third) and two classes. President of the Forest of Dean and Severn Dean Lions Club, Ernie Pemberton presented them with shopping vouchers.

Deputy headteacher, Nicki Davis said: “The children had a lot of fun. The club also told us they would also like to donate – for the second year – some of the proceeds raised from this year’s Bonfire display.

“We are extremely grateful to them and intend to use the money to buy playground swings.”