TALENTED young artists have won themselves dream days out - thanks to the Gazette.

Mersea Island School, in West Mersea, was voted the winner of exciting days out for the pupils at attractions across the county.

The school was among 25 from across Essex to enter the Gazette's School Days Out competition by painting bright and cheery pictures of their days out.

Then the Gazette readers were asked to phone in for the school they felt deserved to win the a trip for each year group, and more than 300 selected Mersea Island.

Gazette deputy editor Liana Kyparissis went to the school to tell them the good news.

"The standard of entries was very high and I would like to congratulate all the schools who took part," she said. "Almost 1,700 of our readers voted and more than 300 picked Mersea Island's entry as the best. I hope all the children have a marvellous time on their days out."

Deputy head Barbara Spriggs said children were "ecstatically happy" to have won.

Cedric's Coaches will lay on free luxury travel to the destinations - Marsh Farm Country Park, Tropical Wings World of Wildlife, Colchester Zoo, Southend Sealife, Odeon Cinema, Tenpin, Leisureworld and Rollerworld in Colchester.