A PUPIL from Inverkip Primary School drew on his artistic talents to be named runner-up in a competition organised by Kelpies Books.

To celebrate the publication of author Lari Don’s latest tale The Treasure of the Loch Ness Monster, Kelpies ran a Map My Monster competition.

They asked young people to draw a picture of a local magical monster and send it in for Lari to pick the winner.

Primary six class teacher Rhona Findlay was impressed with the entries the pupils came up with and delighted to find out that Connor McLean had been named as a runner-up.

She said: “We read one of Lari Don’s books last year.

"She writes about mythical creatures and when the competition was announced we decided to enter.

“Connor drew Clay, a killer swan from the Clyde.

"A signed copy of Lari’s book arrived in the mail with a message of congratulations for Connor.

“The school and his parents are so proud and Lari Don said that he had real talent."

Connor, who is now in primary seven at the school, told the Tele: “I love drawing, I like drawing maps and game characters.

“I was surprised and confused when the signed copy of the book arrived at the door as I never thought I’d get a prize.”