A charity is running a survey to find out what children think of their dads and is offering a £50 for the most original entries.

The National Children's Bureau wants to know how much time fathers spend with their children and whether they play an important role in their children's lives.

It has teamed up with Fathers Direct to run a competition to find out what children think of their dads.

Entries can bee submitted in words or pictures and the best entry in each age category will win £50. The categories are under 7 years, 8-10 years, 11-14 years and 15-17 years. The deadline is January 18.

The prizes will be awarded by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, star of Changing Rooms and a member of the panel at a From Lads to Dads conference to be held by the two charities in January.

All entries will be displayed at the national one-day conference and the winners will have their work published on the NCB and Fathers Direct websites.

Entries on one page of A4 paper should go to Allie Hamilton, Conference Department, NCB, 8 Wakley Street, London EC1V 7QE or email them to ahamilton@ncb.org.uk.