Primary school kids across Helensburgh and Lomond have been congratulated for their “colourful” efforts in an art competition promoting water safety.

The town’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution [RNLI] branch held its water safety poster contest throughout the last term of school and has now announced the winners.

Orlagh from Colgrain Primary and Maisie, Aoifa and Anna-Lily from St. Joseph’s Primary were chosen as the four winners out of 120 entries.

The winners and their families were given a tour of the lifeboat station, the chance to meet some of the crew and sit in the lifeboat, and a goody bag to take home.

Local operations manager Howard Morrison said: “We were delighted to have so many colourful entries all with the key water safety messages.

“Congratulations to the four winners and well done to everyone who entered the competition.

“As well as saving lives at sea our aim is to demonstrate to young people the need to respect water and what to do if they or their friends get into trouble on the water.

“Our crews are on call 24/7, 365 days of the year. Your support helps them save lives at sea.”

The competition was open in two categories: one for the lower school (primary one to three) and one for the upper (primary four to seven).

The contest comes as part of the RNLI’s visits to primary schools in the area to promote water safety by stopping and thinking, staying together, learning to float and calling 999.

Next year, the organisation will continue their primary school programme and plan on hosting more competitions in which local kids can get involved.