THE artwork of pupils from North Torfaen's primary schools is featured in a calendar aimed at raising funds to provide new leisure facilities for Blaenavon.

The colourful drawings and paintings submitted by hundreds of children from dozens of schools for the 2009 Blaenavon Leisure and Swimming Troubleshooters (BLAST) calendar were whittled down to a final selection by a panel of judges including Abergavenny artist Michael Blackmore.

He said choosing the winning designs was a very difficult job due to the quality of the entries, "It wasn't just about looking for the best drawings but finding those that suited each month. I'm very pleased with the calendar."

Also at the calendar's launch at Blaenavon's Butterflies restaurant was Abergavenny author Chris Barber, whose series of books on the Blaenavon and Abergavenny landscapes were illustrated by Michael Blackmore.

Competition organiser Wayne Davage paid tribute to local designer Lyndsey Ford and her marketing manager sister Sharon Ford, who were responsible for putting the calendar together and arranging its printing.

"Despite the demolition of Blaenavon's leisure centre and swimming pool by Torfaen Council, BLAST is continuing to raise money aimed at providing possible match funding for grants for new facilities."

The calendar is on sale at BLAST's Broad Street headquarters and from other shops in the town centre.