HAMPSHIRE schoolchildren are being encouraged to enter a competition to design a unique and creative interfaith calendar for 2009.

The children are invited to submit a range of work from poems and drawings to paintings and photographs which represent a religious event for different faiths for any month of the year.

The calendar, representing nine faiths, is being organised by the Hampshire Inter-faith Network and co-ordinated by Hampshire Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Service (EMTAS). The main aim is to highlight interfaith harmony and understanding.

The nine faiths which will be depicted in the calendar are Jewish, Sikh, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Baha'i, Jain and Zoroastrian.

The competition closes on 18 July when 12 entries will be selected by a judging panel. Successful entries will be used in the production and publication of the calendar. Winning students will be invited to its special launch.

"This competition is an excellent opportunity for young people across Hamp-shire to put their creative skills to the test and have their thoughts and designs used in a positive way to enhance and promote greater understanding be-tween various faiths in our county while strengthening relationships across our communities," said Cllr Roy Perry.

For details contact EMTAS on 02392 441523 or milai.livingstone@hants.gov.uk