A NATIONAL competition has been launched by education bosses in Southampton to teach children about beach safety.

City Catering, Southampton City Council's in-house catering team, launched the sizzling competition this week as part of its My School Lunch website.

To enter the competition, children can visit www.myschoollunch.co.uk/summer, download the summer safety activity sheet for their age group and fill in the answers.

The finished sheet can then be handed to a member of the school's kitchen staff.

Local winners will receive goody bags, provided by the competition sponsors, Avery Dennison, packed full of things to do and play with at the weekend and in the holidays.

They include an official, licensed 2006 FIFA World Cup football, a happy families game and a foldaway frisbee plus a creative projects kit with loads of things to do.

The local winners will then be put forward for a national competition with the opportunity to win one of five drama days for their class, courtesy of Avery.