Could you be 2018’s Young Cartoonist of the Year?

IF you’ve ever dreamt of making others laugh for a living, now could be the time to pick up your pen and get drawing.

The Young Cartoonist of the Year competition is in its 23rd year and attracts thousands of entries, giving budding cartoonists the chance to have their work judged by the best in the business.

Run by the British Cartoonists’ Association, entries are now open for this year’s competition. The prestigious panel of judges includes the Daily Mail’s Mac, who is celebrating his 50th year with Mail newspapers.

The panel has cartoonists from nearly all UK national newspapers and includes The Guardian’s Steve Bell, Private Eye’s Nick Newman and Kathryn Lamb, The Daily Telegraph’s Matt, Oliver Preston, chairman of the Cartoon Museum, and Martin Rowson, chairman of the British Cartoonists’ Association.

Mr Rowson said: ‘If you can make us grumpy old lot laugh, you’re in with a chance of winning. I always have a joke with the winners that the real reason we have the competition is so we can isolate the good ones, break their fingers and make sure they’re not a threat to us.’

Mac, the pen name of Stanley McMurtry MBE, started his career as a cartoon film animator, then went freelance in 1965.

He joined the Daily Sketch – then a sister title of the Daily Mail in our owner Associated Newspapers’ stable – in 1968. The Daily Sketch was absorbed by the Daily Mail in 1971 and Mac has worked for the Mail ever since.

Entries, which can be on any topic, must be submitted by October 14 to The Young Cartoonist of the Year Competition, The Cartoon Museum, 35 Little Russell Street, London, WC1A 2HH.

There are two categories – under-18s and under-30s. Entrants must supply an original cartoon drawn freehand up to A4 in size. Entries must include the artist’s name, age and contact details.

Winners will be announced at the Cartoon Art Trust Awards on October 25. The judges’ decision is final and organisers cannot return artwork. Further details at cartoonmuseum.org.