FOREST children's author and illustrator Shoo Rayner, 54, is one of eight winners from the UK in the YouTube NextUp Europe Competition.

And internet votes from Review readers helped Shoo in his challenge to find the best new channels on YouTube.

Shoo's YouTube channel – http://www.youtube">www.youtube. com/ shooraynerdrawing – has had over a million views of his 240 videos, and well over 3,000 subscribers from all around the world.

"It's amazing. I have built up relationships all over the world, including Sweden, Brazil, Egypt, Singapore, India and the USA!" he said.

All winners receive 20,000 euros (£17,574) to spend developing their YouTube channels and a week at Creator Camp in London for intensive training and mentoring to make their channels even better.

Shoo made his first video on YouTube in September 2008, showing how to draw his popular book characters. A year later he committed himself to his drawing channel, after receiving encouraging comments and requests from viewers. Shoo increasingly interacts with his audience, who now span all ages, and whose comments and suggestions have shaped the channel ever since.

"It's been a bit like an apprenticeship," says Shoo. "I'm learning all the time. Winning this competition is a validation of all the hundreds, if not thousands of hours I've spent working on my channel.

"This prize will give me the opportunity to set up an online school with more structured courses for all ages and experience."