Junior school pupils are invited to illustrate a book (Rainbows End by Keith Park) about three gnomes and two invisible miniaturised children. A booklet outlining the project and showing how to draw the characters is available for Pounds 1 with proceeds going to BBC Children in Need. The competition ends at the end of January and the national finals will be televised. For details send two 25p stamps to: Amanda Lerwill, Children and the Gnomes Competition, 435 Aberdare Enterprise Centre, Aberaman Industrial Park, Aberdare, Mid Glamorgan CF44 6DA.

WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE CURRICULUM MANAGEMENT AWARD SCHEME Annual award scheme in primary, secondary and special school categories which offers grants of up to Pounds 6,000 over two years plus the services of an environmental consultant to support the development of environmental education in the school curriculum. Schools should register now for a project brochure. Closing date: January 27. Details: WWF Education Department, WWF UK, Panda House, Weyside Park, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1XR.

FOCUS ON YOUR WORLD II The United Nations Environment Programme, sponsored by Canon, is inviting professional and amateur photographers of any age from all over the world to submit photos, taken between January 1, 1994 and April 30, 1995 (the closing date), of the people and species that inhabit this planet. Details from UNEP offices and UN Information Centres or: Focus on Your World II, Information and Public Affairs Branch, UNEP, PO Box 30552, Nairobi, Kenya.