Aspiring artists from a Watford-based school have scooped prizes in the LIFE 2011 competition.

Three students from Parmiter's School in High Elms Lane were recognised, including upper sixth formers Sarah Horton and Lizzy Kane, and Year 9 student Katarina D'Alessandro.

The art contest, initiated to run alongside the 2011 census, was an opportunity for budding artists in the Three Rivers district to visually describe their current experiences of contemporary life and the impact it has on them as young people.

Sarah Horton, overall winner of the competition, is currently studying Art and Design, and Photography A Levels.

She said her work reflects the changing emotions experienced in any given day - happiness, frustration, sadness and exasperation.

Describing her joy at winning, she said: “I was really pleased to win first prize in the competition and gain some recognition for my work as great deal of time goes into the preparation and execution of a piece.

“The staff in the art department at Parmiter’s have been very supportive and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them.

“I really hope people enjoy the pictures.”