YOUNG artists will be let loose in the Gardens by the Bay on July 15 so that they can come up with entries for an art competition.

At least 100 primary school pupils have signed up for the 'Life's Beautiful' contest organised by Tipex, the distributor of tissue brand Beautex, and The Straits Times' magazine for primary schools, Little Red Dot (LRD).

The entry fees paid by these contestants - $3 for pupils of schools subscribing to LRD and $5 for those from non-subscribing schools - will go to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, which helps schoolchildren from low-income families.

The winning entries will be reproduced on boxes of Beautex tissues. For every set of five boxes sold, 20 cents will go to the fund.

This will be the fourth edition of the competition; the last three raised $45,000 in total.

Ms Serene Goh, editor of LRD and IN, the ST magazine for secondary school students, said: 'The Straits Times' young readers have been sending us their artwork for years, and channelling their creativity to help others in this way is how they can turn their art into action.'

This year, the competition will be held in conjunction with The Straits Times' 167th anniversary. The newspaper is holding a ticketed concert for its readers at Gardens by the Bay the same evening.

Tipex assistant general manager Richard Sim said the company was honoured to give children a chance to showcase their talent.

Telok Kurau Primary pupil Chow Yan Ying, 11, is taking part for the third time. She said of this year's venue: 'The scenery will be beautiful. I can relax and draw.'

The top three winners in the categories for upper- and lower- primary pupils will each get a cash prize and a hamper.

The contest registration closes on July 11. For more information, visit http://www.tipex.com.sg/artcom

ANG YIYING