BUDDING cartoonist Gregory O'Hara put himself in the picture by securing a place at the semi-finals of a national competition.

Gregory, aged nine, of Woolston, beat off strong opposition from other talented youngsters in the competition organised by Capri Sun orange juice drink and children's comics The Beano and Dandy.

Last week he joined 14 youngsters at the Manchester regional event, held at the Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port. There he had lessons in the art of professional cartooning and submitted a second cartoon drawing to compete for the title of 'UK's Best Young Cartoonist 2003'.

Gregory was among 75 other hopefuls chosen from across the UK.

He won through to the semi-finals after submitting a cartoon strip and completing a Capri Sun teaser.

If he wins, Gregory will see his cartoon creation printed in The Beano and Dandy, enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to the comics' HQ to watch his cartoon strip roll off the presses, plus win a state of the art computer and drawing software. The overall winner will be announced at the end of August.