CULTURE is the order of the day in a York bar, as a local competition goes national.

The Slug and Lettuce bar is to be adorned with fine art by students of York St John College as part of a competition to find the most popular piece of student art in Britain.

The 'Bar Culture' competition was launched here in York last year in a collaboration between the bar and York St John College, but has now spread to other bars in the chain around the country.

York Slug and Lettuce manager Andrew Wingfield said: "We pride ourselves on having a contemporary culture which is open to new ideas and in touch with the local communities where we live - that's why we are delighted to be involved in this project."

Ten pieces of local student art will go up in the bars, where the public will vote for their favourite. This will then go to London for the national final.

The project is supported by The Times art critic Richard Cork and the Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting, Kim Howells.

Mr Howells said: "I fully support ventures such as the Bar Culture Project, which provides a great opportunity for student artists to showcase their work in a different environment."

Updated: 09:02 Friday, April 04, 2003