CHILDREN'S artwork will be displaying the important message to clean your hands at Southend Hospital.

Three budding young artists beat off competition from more than 500 other primary school children from across south Essex to win a poster competition to promote better handwashing.

Rosie Wright, 11, a pupil at Fairways Primary School and Reece Gastin, seven, at Blenheim Primary School, both in Leigh, along with Sophie Tomlins, nine, from Westwood Primary, in Thundersley, will now see their designs given pride of place around the hospital.

The children were presented with certificates of achievement by Sarah Dawson, the hospital's director of nursing.

The youngsters won a £25 gift voucher, and goody-bag with a teddy bear, hand-cream, hospital pen, and a clean-your-hands badge.