AN arts charity will encourage children to get creative when it hosts a drawing event at Heaton Park.

Prestwich-based charity Unlimited Minds, which was founded last October to bring artistic events to children, will hold the free event on March 15.

The event is being held to celebrate the reopening of Manchester's Central Library, which is set to re-open on March 22 after a £48 million refurbishment.

Unlimited Minds was approached by Heaton Park, on behalf of Manchester City Council, to host the drawing competition, which will see children creating commemorative postcards.

Those aged 4 to 18 can take part, with winners from each age category having their design printed and distributed to all school children in Manchester.

Prudence Clarke, co-founder of Unlimited Minds, said: “We feel that schools are unable to offer children enough opportunities for creativity, which is why we felt it necessary to start the charity.

“We will have professional drawing materials for children supplied by Derwent as well as some resources from various publishers .

"A reading themed event featuring local authors is set to follow very soon which promises to be very inspirational.”

The event will be held at Heaton Park’s old cafe from noon until 4pm.