SCHOOL children are being asked to redefine what it means to be a British citizen.

The typical stereotype of bowler-hatted businessmen sipping tea may be a popular image of Britishness, but it's one few of us recognise.

The Manchester Evening News, in partnership with The Observer and other Guardian Media Group titles, launches a national competition for young people to rewrite the definition of what it means to be a British citizen in 21st century multi-cultural Britain.

The prize for the competition, which is open to all 11 to 16 year olds, is to lead out the 72 teams in the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

Their views can be expressed in any form, including poetry, songs, painting or sculpture.

The venture, in support of the government's new citizenship programme for schools, is believed to be the first of its kind in the country, and has already won the backing of sports personalities and politicians, including Home Secretary David Blunkett.

Valuable

Mr Blunkett said: ''This is a really valuable initiative, and it couldn't come at a better time. Young people must have a central voice in the citizenship debate, and this competition will help provide them with one.

''It will give a real focus to young people who are starting citizenship education in schools for the first time this year, and it will enable them to shape what it means to be a British citizen in the future.''

The competition aims to encourage and stimulate original thinking and creativity in young people, bringing a wider debate among teachers and students.

Bob Phillis, chief executive of the Guardian Media Group, said: ''We are proud to offer every secondary school student the chance to take part in the largest multi-sport event ever to be held in this country.

''And we believe that the debate on citizenship will be an important guide to what the young, and others, think of British society, and their place in it.''

Identity

Launching the competition at Wright Robinson Sports College, in Gorton, athlete Diane Modahl said: ''Identity is so individual.

''For me being British is all about having total freedom or opportunity and that with hard work and determination you can be exactly what you want to be. We are totally free to make choices.

''For me the criteria of living a good life is truth and honesty. Since I had to prove I was telling the truth that has become even more important.''

Further information and application forms for the competition will be printed in The Observer on Sunday and will appear regularly in the M.E.N. from Monday.

As well as accepting entries from individuals there will be a class prize category, which will account for up to 35 of the prizes.

The closing date for the competition is April 15.

Competition winners will be notified in May, in plenty of time for the July 15 opening ceremony.

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