Spider-Man is one of Marvel's most famous comic book heroes

Primary Life magazine, for parents and teachers in North Lanarkshire, has teamed up with Marvel comics in the US for a special art competition.

The winner will have a Marvel comic book character named after them.

It was organised through the head writer at the comic book giant, who went to school in Coatbridge.

Mark Millar attended St Bartholomew's Primary in the town before going on to a successful career at Marvel in New York, providing characters and plots for Hollywood movies and comics.

We want to raise children's aspirations and say 'look, you can go from Coatbridge to Hollywood' Denise Connelly DC Publishing

He was contacted by the publisher of Primary Life, Denise Connelly, who remembered him from school.

Mr Millar said: "I loved the idea of bringing back my recognition to the town where I grew up and saying to little kids 'if you come up with a great idea you could be on an international stage'."

Famous Marvel characters include Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four and the Hulk.

The writer will help judge the pupils' artwork with the winner appearing in print some time next year.

Publisher Denise Connelly said: "Being a superhero is something every kid dreams of and it's something money can't buy.

"We want to raise children's aspirations and say 'look, you can go from Coatbridge to Hollywood'."