Utilities, s/w for drawing ascii-art ?

For some time I've been on the lookout for a utility/program for an
IBM-comp PC which would transform text using the keyboard characters
without having to manually draw it.

i.e. By typing in LINZ, the program would automatically transform it
along the lines of:
    _      _   __    _   _____
   | |    | | |  \  | | |___  |      (I know, not very brilliant,)
   | |    | | | \ \ | |    / /       (but I hope you get the gist)
   | |__  | | | |\ \| |  _/ /_       (I'm looking for something a)
   |____| |_| |_| \___| |_____|      (little fancier   ;-)       )

I'm afraid I'm rather useless on the artistic front, (being amazed at
many of the fascinating artworks from the contributors in this ng),
and require such a utility/program for making kids posters etc. for my
No.1 son and, of course, my own amusement.

Any pointers would be gratefully received.

Please post as you see fit (email or to the ng - I'll be following the
group for a wee while).

TIA

LINZ
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