THE Walker Art Gallery is exporting its world-famous John Moores Painting Prize to China, by launching a new version of the competition at Shanghai’s World Expo.

The first winner will be announced in August, with the contest taking place every two years as a separate event to the original Liverpool-based prize.

Organisers say other cities across the globe have also expressed interest in hosting a John Moores Prize of their own.

Angela Samata, John Moores project manager at the Walker Art Gallery, where the competition has been based for the past 53 years, said: "The painting prize has a reputation for being exciting, new and pushing boundaries.

"We are thrilled that the two competitions will run parallel to each other on either side of the globe. It gives the John Moores prize an international dimension."

Shanghai University, which has 40,000 art students, approached the organisers of the John Moores about expanding it to China.

It is hoped the move will further strengthen Liverpool’s links with the city as well as providing opportunities for Chinese contemporary artists.

The five winning paintings will be displayed at Shanghai Gallery of Art during August before being shipped to Liverpool to be displayed alongside the UK winners at the Walker in September.

The John Moores (Shanghai) will follow the model of the Liverpool prize, set up by the Littlewoods founder of the same name.

Entries are anonymous and judged by a panel made up of two Chinese artists and three UK based experts, including Liverpool Biennial founder Lewis Biggs.