Everyone has talent- message encouraged by local MP

11.53.16am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 23rd Jun 2009

Solihull's Liberal Democrat MP, Lorely Burt is encouraging local schools to partake in this year national Shine festival which takes place on 6-10 July 2009. Shine week is an annual celebration of talent of all children and young people in UK schools. The event has has proved to be an exciting way to celebrate the talent that every young person has from sport to poetry writing.

Last year over 2,500 schools and organisations nationally partook in the Shine festival and local schools in Solihull are being encouraged by Lorely Burt to participate in this year event. Schools can sign up via the Shine website at www.shineweek.co.uk and can receive a creative kit containing all the resources schools will need to make the most of the national festival.

Last year, Alesha Dixon, Dame Kelly Holmes and many others who have achieved in diverse fields joined with Shine Week to celebrate the talents of our young people. Phil Vickery, a England world cup wining Rugby player, commented: " I'm supporting Shine because it gives young people the confidence to show what they're really made of."

Shine is hoping to build on last year's success after receiving very positive national and regional media coverage.

ENDS