Saatchi sets up junior art award

Mr Saatchi is one of the UK's highest-profile arts patrons

Art collector Charles Saatchi has launched a £10,000 award which he says is aimed at encouraging more children to become interested in modern art.

Schoolchildren will be invited to compete for The Saatchi Gallery Award by sending an essay or project about their visit to the London gallery.

The winner will get £7,500 for their school's art department plus a computer worth £2,500 to keep for themselves.

Artist Tracey Emin and Blur singer Damon Albarn will be among the judges.

The winner will also have their work exhibited in the gallery, which has become one of London's biggest attractions.

The Gallery is housed in London's County Hall

"We are really thrilled that schools are reacting so positively to the gallery," Mr Saatchi said.

"The award has been initiated to help young school visitors get involved in very contemporary art."

A spokesman for Mr Saatchi said the art collector was "delighted" when he learned that more than 150 schools had visited the gallery since it opened in April.

"He was very moved by that because it shows that young people are interested in seeing cutting edge works of art," the spokesman said.

"He never expected so many children to visit and in response he has created this award, which he hopes will encourage that interest," he said.

The gallery will begin to accept entries from 1 January.