Talented Declan Finney has returned from a prize holiday to France after winning a national poster contest.

Declan, 12, of Manningtree, took part in the trip after winning the UK leg of the Vivendi Water International poster competition.

He visited the Marine Land theme park in the South of France, where he fed sharks, enjoyed a spectacular dolphin show, was entertained by killer whales and was kissed by the sea lions.

For Declan, the trip was particularly special, as it was his first time flying and he and his family stayed in Nice.

During the trip, he practised his French and made friends with a French boy the same age. The two plan to become pen pals and develop their foreign language skills further.

Published Thursday August 15, 2002

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette