THE search is on for Hampshire's best-drawn dad.

Forget boring socks and predictable slippers, youngsters from across the county are being invited to show their dad how much they love him by entering the Daily Echo's Father's Day drawing competition.

From felt-tip sketches to oil-paint masterpieces, the competition is looking to find Hampshire's own mini-Monet.

With two categories open to different age groups - six years and under, and seven to ten years, children can provide their dad with a unique present while giving themselves a chance at winning some fabulous prizes.

Vouchers The winning masterpiece for each category will receive £100 in vouchers to spend at the Mall Marlands in Southampton in The Entertainer, Disney Store and The Works.

Three lucky runners-up will each win vouchers worth £50 to spend at the same stores.

Last year's winners were Chrissie Hughes, 10, of Holly Road, Blackfield and Abigail Beavis, 6, of Mallard Road, Hedge End.

Chrisse's brightly-coloured impression of her dad as a superhero and Abigail's fantastic football-mad dad won them a feast of Father's Day goodies.

Entries for the competition, which is being run with The Mall Marlands, have already been flooding in, but with a closing date of Friday, June 1, there is no time to delay.

All entries will be published and the winners announced in a special supplement on Saturday, June 16.

A selection of entries will also be on display at the Mall Marlands from June 11.

Entries must be on portrait A4 paper in colour and sent with your completed entry from to: Father's Day Drawing Competition, Southern Daily Echo, PO Box 543, Southampton, SO16 9ZQ.