A SENIOR St Stephen's pupil has won a national 'young artist of the year' award.

Emma Carroll was put forward for the Rotary Scottish District Young Artist final and will now enter the UK-wide competition.

Emma impressed judges with her painting which they said 'provoked thought and conversation'.

Gourock Rotary's Norman Pettigrew, left, with St Stephen's head teacher David Killin (Image: contributed) Emma, who is going onto study biochemistry, was presented with her trophy by Norman Pettigrew, of the Gourock Rotary Club, who runs a series of youth awards in Inverclyde.

Emma's painting  (Image: contributed)

Head teacher David Killin said: "Emma’s win is an honour both for her and for the school and it highlights the talents that exist amongst the pupils of Inverclyde."

In the Intermediate Section of the Rotary's Young Artist Competition, Aria Phillips a pupil at Inverclyde Academy, achieved runner up earning her a Highly Commended Certificate for her painting.

Aria’s painting was a collage portrait using pastel and paint to convey emotion. The Judges said that they loved ‘the texture, the muted pallet and the contrast of the white dots, the way they get bigger.’

Principal teacher of art, Paul Murray and art teacher Angela Kincaid said: "We are delighted Aria has won this award: it is an honour for both Aria and the school."

Aria was presented with her certificate by John McLeod, the president-elect of The Rotary Club of Gourock.