Fans queue to meet the Birmingham Mail's Colin Whittock

Dec 12 2007

DOZENS of people turned out to meet artist Colin Whittock, who has been drawing cartoons for the Birmingham Mail for almost four decades.

Fans queued at the Mail's office in Weaman Street, in Birmingham city centre, to chat with the artist and get him to sign his 16-page 'Review of 2007' published in yesterday's paper.

Colin, responsible for more than 20,000 cartoons and 6,000 Chipper strips in the Mail since 1969, said: "I'm delighted so many people came to see me and that they are interested in what I do.

"This has been another great year full of news stories to provide me with inspiration."

Colin says his favourite cartoon featured in the Mail in 2007 is that of a plane heading into the sunset, which was used to mark the death of Alex Henshaw, the former chief test pilot of the Spitfire and Lancaster bomber.

Now Colin, who will next year start celebrating his 40th year at the paper, is giving readers a chance to win their very own caricature drawn and signed by the man himself.

Simply post your funny caption for the cartoon featured left (15 words maximum) to: Whittock Cartoon Competition, Features Desk, Birmingham Mail, PO BOX 78, Weaman Street, Birmingham, B4 6AX.

You can also email your caption suggestion to entry@mrn.co.uk using the word Whittock as your subject line.

Email entries are free of charge. The usual Birmingham Mail rules apply. The Editor's decision is final.