CHILDREN are being encouraged to help brighten up Taunton this Christmas in an art competition.

Dawn and Jonathan Whitlock, who own the Acre Service renewable energy firm in Station Road, are among businesses who have donated money to the Make Taunton Sparkle campaign to fund festive lights in the town centre.

They are running a competition for schoolchildren on the Make Taunton Sparkle theme.

Winning entries will be displayed in Acre Services’ showroom window as part of a solar-powered Christmas display and the artists will win family tickets for a film at the Odeon.

For details, visit www.acreservices.co.uk and www.tauntonsparkle.co.uk or call Dawn on 01823-322020.