YOUNG Daily Echo readers are being given the chance to shout about how much they love their mums.

This year we are launching the Paint Your Mum competition asking children to use their creative flair to make a picture of their mum.

It is the perfect opportunity to celebrate Mother’s Day and if the spending budget for presents doesn’t stretch as far as a meal or spa day this is a heartfelt message to say thank you.

It doesn’t have to be the next Monet or Picasso but should be created lovingly for mums ahead of the special occasion on March 15.

We are asking children across Hampshire to get painting or scribbling and send in their creations during the next two weeks.

The picture can be anything they feel represents their mum, a painting of her smiley face or a scene of her playing with her children in the park.

The competition is open to children aged 10 and under and divided into two categories – five and under or six to 10.

Prizes for each age category are yet to be announced but will include treats for both the artistic child and the hardworking mum.

We will be sharing pictures in the paper as entries come in and are looking for the most imaginative artists.

Children can be extra creative by decorating the painting with some sequins or drawings of their mum’s favourite things like flowers or gifts.

All entries will appear in a special edition of the paper on Saturday, March 14 and in a picture gallery on our website dailyecho.co.uk.

The entry must be a portrait on A4 paper and in colour, and sent to emily.ford@dailyecho.co.uk or posted to Emily Ford, Mother's Day Drawing Competition, Southern Daily Echo, Newspaper House, Test Lane, Southampton SO16 9JX.