A TALENTED ten-year-old Suffolk artist is off to a star-studded awards ceremony in London today after winning a national cartoon competition.Evie Plant, of Saxtead Road, Framlingham, entered the Childline competition after spotting it on the back of a cereal packet.

A TALENTED ten-year-old Suffolk artist is off to a star-studded awards ceremony in London today after winning a national cartoon competition.

Evie Plant, of Saxtead Road, Framlingham, entered the Childline competition after spotting it on the back of a cereal packet.

Today she was due to be travelling to the Natural History Museum in London to be presented with her prize by Childline chairwoman Esther Rantzen, Mark Speight from CBBC's 'SMART!' programme, and BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth.

Evie's mum, Michelle Plant, said: "She is very excited. We found out about it in April and she's been counting down the days.

"It's the first time she's ever entered a competition like this and we are all incredibly proud of her."

Evie said she was looking forward to meeting Mark Speight and was the envy of her friends at Easton Primary School: "They all think it's really cool. I'm looking forward to having a day off school as I've been waiting for it for such a long time."

Competition entrants were required to draw an eight-square cartoon showing what the concept of 'respect' meant to them. Evie's winning cartoon depicted a young girl giving up her seat on the bus for an elderly woman.

Childline's chairwoman Esther Rantzen said: "Judging the cartoons was enormous fun and we were amazed by all the brilliant ideas. Choosing the winners from almost 1,000 entries was no easy task!

"Our congratulations and of course respect, goes to Evie and the other nine winners for their wonderful cartoons. They really did show a good understanding of the issues of respect, tolerance, compassion and empathy."

Childline facts:

N Childline is a support and advice line open to all children and young people.

N Childline was launched in 1986.

N It employs around 950 volunteers.

N Receives an estimated 15,000 attempted calls every day but resources mean it can only answer 3,500.

N The most common problems it deals with are abuse, bullying, family relationships and worries about a friend's welfare.

N It has recently launched a campaign targeting young people with eating disorders. It helps around 1,000 people suffering from them each year.

N The number is free to call and will not show up on phone bills: 0800 1111. N There is an alternative text phone number for deaf people and those unable to use ordinary phones: 0800 400 222