A Herefordshire business is encouraging youngsters to reveal their artistic talent as it teams up with the UK’s leading animal welfare charity.

South Hereford Van Centre is calling on children from six years and above to enter a national competition to design the exterior of the soon-to-be-launched fleet of RSPCA vans.

The new, specially customised Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle Crafter vans are expected to save the charity around £800,000 a year in running costs.

“We are proud to be working in partnership with the RSPCA and would like children to use their imagination when creating their designs,” said Charles Richards, head of business at South Hereford Van Centre.

He added: “These vehicles will be travelling the length and breadth of the UK and will be an integral part of the charity’s operations. The designs should be colourful and demonstrate the variety of animals that benefit from the charity’s work as well as capturing the general public’s interest and ultimately the awareness of the RSPCA’s work.

“There will be six national winners so we really hope that one will be from the Herefordshire area.”

The six winning designs will be replicated onto the exterior of the vehicles.

Children are required to visit www.rspca.org.uk/vwcv for full competition details and to download the artwork template. All entries will need to be posted and received by 30th September to be considered for the competition.