A NEW creative competition has been launched in memory of a local artist.

St Bart’s Art Club is holding the contest in tribute to popular late member Walter Williams.

The new contest in Walter’s honour is open to primary 6 and 7 pupils in Gourock.

St Bart’s chairman David Goldthorp said: “Walter was well liked in the club and he was a good artist too.

“He used to paint scenes of Gourock that are no longer here, like Cragburn and the tower on Tower Hill.”

“When he passed away he very kindly left a bequest to the art club and instead of using it on one of our outings we bought a memorial quaich.”

Mr Williams, who lived in McCallum Crescent, was also a keen gardener and shaped the hedges in his garden like the Loch Ness Monster and a sea lion.

Mr Goldthorp said: “I think the quaich is a fitting way to remember Walter.”

The club is looking for 12 entries from each school and each submission should have a Gourock theme — they can be drawings, paintings or sculptures.

The entries will be displayed at the club’s annual exhibition in the Gamble Halls on Saturday May 20.

This will be open to parents and public between noon until 3.30pm and the winners will be announced on the day between 2 and 2.30pm.

The winning school will be awarded the Walter Williams Memorial Quaich which will be held for a year.

The pupils who take first, second and third will receive a small trophy to keep and all children whose work is exhibited will receive a certificate.