JUDGES have been bowled over by the wealth of young talent generated by a T-shirt design competition.

More than 400 youngsters got creative in a bid to capture the unique spirit of North Devon, the only new style UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the UK.

Despite the stiff competition judges finally chose Chloe Bostridge in the under 19s category and Fenton Davies in the under 11s class.

The competition was run by the Biosphere Reserve team in conjunction with Saltrock and GoldCoast Oceanfest.

Andy Bell, biosphere reserve co-ordinator, said: "We were totally bowled over with the volume and quality of the response.

"The creativity of the designs really picked out the unique qualities of our area and how people care for them.

"I would like to thank and congratulate all of the students and schools that took part."

The winning designs will be unveiled and on sale at this summer's GoldCoast Oceanfest which runs from June 19-21 and afterwards at Saltrock shops in North Devon.

Chloe, an A level student at the North Devon College, who won the under 19s category, said: "I'm really surprised to have won and I'm proud that something I've done will contribute towards greater awareness of North Devon's Biosphere Reserve."

Fenton Davies from Chulmleigh Primary School was also delighted to win his category.

He said: "I was surprised but very happy to find I'd won in the under 11s.

"I love North Devon because it has loads of nature and lots of forest walks."

As part of their prize Chloe and Fenton have been spending time with the creative design team at Saltrock, working towards making their ideas a reality.

Ross Thomson, Saltrock's creative director, said: "The wealth of talent was spectacular, making it very difficult to choose the winning designs.

"Saltrock is delighted to support a project like this, promoting our fantastic local talent and environment."

One of the judges was Oceanfest director Shaun Latham who said: " It is clearly evident that North Devon harbours a multitude of talent shown in the vast entries for this competition.

"Sifting through the mass of entries for a worthy winner, proved both a delightful yet daunting task.

"Testament to the interest garnered in the home grown theme, I think the Biosphere, Saltrock and GoldCoast Oceanfest have shown that local issues have local support, with North Devon coming out the real winner in the end."

Profits from the T-shirt sales will go to the Biosphere Foundation, a charitable organisation funding local environmental projects.

The highly commended designs will also be on display at Oceanfest on the Biosphere Reserve stand.