THE splendour of Blenheim Palace inspired children to get creative as the Duke of Marlborough gave awards for work based on trips to his Woodstock home.

A pupil of Witney’s Madley Brook School, Alicia Mariani, six – pictured with her sister Olivia, eight, and her picture of butterflies which won her the Junior Prize for Art – said: “I was really happy to win and I enjoyed the day because I saw the Duke of Marlborough. He was really nice.”

Palace head of education Karen Wiseman said: “These awards celebrate the wonderful work of the children who visit us each year.”