Three delighted pupils from RA Butler Academy in Saffron Walden were presented with their prizes this week following an Uttlesford District Council Emergency Planning poster competition.

The winning poster has been enlarged and copies printed to publicise the council’s forthcoming Essex Resilience Community Safety Roadshow which will take place on June 7 at Saffron Walden fire station.

Heidi Weaver, 6, was the winner of the competition. She will not only see her poster displayed around the town to promote the roadshow but also received an invitation to tour the Essex/Metropolitan Police helicopter base in Essex with her family. Lisa Lipscombe presented the prize on behalf of Riccardo Tartaglia, Air Observer, Metropolitan Police Air Support Unit, who was unable to attend.

The second prize of a tour of Stansted Airport Fire Service went to 10-year-old Jared Pilkington. The prize was presented by Daren Barthram, fire manager at the airport.

The third prize of a visit to Essex County Fire & Rescue Service’s fire station in Great Dunmow was presented to five-year-old Oliver Warner. It was presented by station officer James Taylor, community safety liaison officer for Uttlesford.

Councillor Alistair Walters, cabinet member for community safety said: “I would like to congratulate all the winners on their hard work and also thank our partners in the emergency services for providing these magnificent, money can’t buy, prizes.

“I do hope that as many residents as possible come along to the Essex Resilience Roadshow to learn more about planning for emergencies.

“I am sure they will pick up a great deal of information, which will be invaluable before, during and after an emergency.”

The poster will be displayed in local shops, on noticeboards and in the Tourist Information Centres throughout the district to publicise the free event. The aim of the day is to show people how to be prepared in an emergency and how to keep their family and homes safe.

Also attending the roadshow will be Essex County Fire & Rescue Service, Essex Police, Environment Agency, Essex Flood Management Team, British Red Cross, Military Bomb Disposal Team, Essex Civil Protection & Emergency Management Team, East of England Ambulance Service (HART), NHS, Uttlesford District Council – Environmental Health, Housing and Animal Warden services, plus many more.

If you would like to display a poster, contact the council’s emergency planning officer, Lisa Lipscombe, on 01799 510624 or via email at llipscombe@uttlesford.gov.uk