A SCHOOLBOY has won a drawing contest.

Daniel Callaghan, from St Leonard’s Catholic School, in Durham City, triumphed in the aged 15-18 category of the inaugural Nancy Rothwell specimen drawing contest.

The Society of Biology launched the awards to celebrate specimen drawing in schools, linking art and science.

More than 100 entries were received from across the country from children aged seven to 18.

Sixteen-year-old Daniel’s colourful red-eyed tree frog Agalychnis Callidryas features a staring frog and three intricately labelled diagrams of the animal’s skeleton, organ and muscular systems.

Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, a past president of the Society of Biology, said: “I have always loved art as well as science.

“I wasn’t a judge but my personal favourite is the frog because it combines the animal’s beauty with the very detailed inner anatomy.

“I have been stunned by the response; both the volume and sheer quality of the drawings. Many of these young people are better artists than I could ever hope to be.”

The winners of the other categories were Jessica James, 12, from Manchester; and Spencer Turner, ten, from Newcastle.

The winners will each receive drawing equipment, an experience day at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), £25 for themselves and £250 for their school.

The competition was part of the Draw and Develop initiative and the winners were announced at the RVC on Thursday, October 16, as part of Biology Week.