ASPIRING artists are being offered the chance to see their work come to life on the side of a national operator's coach.

National Express, the UK’s largest coach operator, is launching a competition, Driving Design, which is open to people, from 16 to 30, who would like their artwork seen by millions of people up and down the country.

Chris Hardy, managing director at National Express UK Coach, said: “This is a unique opportunity for up-and-coming artists to showcase their work on a huge platform for a full 12 months.

“The winning design will remain on one side of a National Express coach, which will carry hundreds of passengers to their destinations every day. At 14 metres long, it could be the largest canvas they get to work on.

“Driving Design heavily supports our Youth Promise, which we feel very passionately about. We are a big brand with national reach, and we want to use this to help young people get a head start in life.”

All UK-based artists are eligible to submit one piece of artwork for consideration in the form of a painting, drawing, or digital design via email or post before midnight on Monday, June 10. The designs will then be shortlisted by a panel of judges before appearing on the National Express website for a public vote.

Along with the main prize, the artist with the most votes will also receive a free 12-month coach pass, two tickets to Hampshire’s Boomtown Fair in August featuring artists including Lauryn Hill, The Streets, and Chase & Status, and a one-to-one development day with an established artist resulting in their work being showcased at this year’s High Vis Festival in Birmingham in September.

Now in its second year, the High Vis Festival is a vibrant and energetic showcase of the ever-growing arts community from some of the UK’s most creative cities.

Entries should be submitted by email to driving.design@nationalexpress.com or by post to Driving Design, National Express House, Mill Lane, Birmingham, B5 6DD. Artists can share their designs on social media using #NXDrivingDesign.

All entries must include name, age, contact number, email address, a few lines of you would like to win, and must arrive before the deadline of midnight on Monday, June 10.

For full terms and conditions visit www.nationalexpress.com/drivingdesign.