A FAMILY support charity is enlisting children to help find new volunteers.

Home-Start Kirklees has launched a poster competition to design a piece of artwork on the theme of Family Life.

The charity, based in Armitage Bridge, offers a volunteer befriending service to families who have at least one pre- school child and who may be struggling to cope.

It is working with about 60 families across Kirklees, but has another 50 waiting for help when volunteers become available.

Scheme manager Jill Long said `'As our service is delivered by parent volunteers, we are always looking for new prospective volunteers.

"We wanted a catchy recruitment poster which would draw in new home visitors."

The charity is inviting pupils in school year Groups 7 and upwards to design a poster, which it can use in its marketing and recruitment campaigns.

The winner could win an MP3 player and £250 worth of art materials for his or her school.

The competition will be judged by local artist and sculptor Mick Kirkby Geddes.

He said: ``Having two children under five myself, I can see the benefits of a scheme like Home-Start.

"So it's a pleasure to help out by judging this art competition.'

Competition entries will be displayed in the North Light Gallery - part of the Yorkshire Technology and Office Park at Armitage Bridge - during May.

Scheme administrator Michelle Steadman, who had the idea for the poster competition, said: `As a charity, we couldn't afford to commission a graphic designer to come up with a recruitment campaign.

"But I thought there was a lot of untapped talent out there in our schools.

`'We hope that not only will the young people want to create us an image, but that they will also want to attend our presentation evening, and see their work displayed at the gallery," added Ms Steadman.

Home-Start, which is Kirklees Mayor Clr Mary Harkin's charity of the year, intends to use the winning design for posters, postcards and bookmarks.

Any schools wanting to be involved in the competition is urged to contact Home-Start before next Monday to receive an entry pack.

A3-sized entries in any medium will be judged on Saturday May 14 at a presentation evening at The North Light Gallery.

For further information about the competition - or volunteering for Home-Start - phone Jill, Michelle or any team member on 01484 665258.