Budding artists from Wiltshire have been helping to raise awareness of breastfeeding by taking part in an art competition.

The winners were presented with their certificates after the competition ran over the summer and a panel of four judges selected 11 pieces, seven winners and four highly commended, for an exhibition which will now tour the county.

It is part of Wiltshire Breastfeeding Awareness week and was done as away of encouraging people to think about the benefits of breastfeeding and to share their views. The exhibition includes comments from the artists about what inspired their work and thoughts about breastfeeding.

Cllr Keith Humphries, cabinet member for public health said: “These artworks are a fresh way to ensure the positive benefits of breastfeeding can be promoted and I congratulate all those who took part.”

Maggie Rae, corporate director, said: “Wiltshire Council is a breastfeeding friendly organisation and very committed to the promotion of breastfeeding. We believe women have the right to breastfeed anywhere as it helps give children the best start in life. I’m looking forward to finding out how people respond to the exhibition.”

The winners were: Under 5s, Amelie Parker, age four, of Alderbury; Aged 5-11s, Elise Ford, 10, of Chippenham, HC Freddie Martin, age six, of Newton Tony; 12-17s, anonymous Calne 14-year-old; adults, Sian Rivers, Chippenham, Yvonne Cunnane, Marlborough, Sally Evans, Hilperton, Louise Hackney, Tidworth, HC Sandra Wells, Old Sarum, Heidi Moss, Warminster, Lindsay Sherwood, Calne.