Festive designs all the rage with MPs

Isabelle Moorhouse from Elston Hall Primary School, Wolverhampton, triumphed in the annual contest run by Emma Reynolds.

The winner was chosen by Ms Reynolds and the Deputy Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Phil Page, and came from entries from 11 local schools.

The design was made into 1,000 cards and sent out to local businesses, faith groups, charities, residents, councillors and other MPs.

Designs by the runners-up feature on the reverse of the card.

Labour's Wolverhampton North East MP Ms Reynolds, said: “The entries I receive in my annual Christmas card competition are always of an excellent standard.

"I want to thank all the schools and pupils who entered. This year it was very tough to choose from such a wonderful selection of designs, but I think Isabelle’s drawing perfectly captures the Christmas spirit.”

Labour's West Bromwich West MP Adrian Bailey's competition was won by Jia Duhra, aged 9, from St Paul’s Academy, Tipton.

Meanwhile a Halesowen schoolgirl’s artwork has made its way to 10 Downing Street after she won James Morris MP’s Christmas card competition.

Year 8 pupil Abigail Palmer, from Earl's High School, beat over 700 entries from schools across Halesowen & Rowley Regis to win the contest organised by Mr Morris.

Abigail’s design, which features decorations on a Chritsmas tree, appears on the front of the official card which has been sent out to local community groups and schools, as well as to parliamentary colleagues.

Four runners-up – Emaan of Reddall Hill Primary School, Dominika of Our Lady & St Kenelms, Neve of Blackheath Primary, and Tia Mae of Halesbury School will feature on the back of the card.

Conservative MP Mr Morris said: “This is the sixth year that I have asked local primary schools to design my Christmas card and I am always impressed with the quality and variety of entries.

“Well done to Abigail and to the runners-up, as well as to everybody who sent in such fantastic entries, and a big thank you to all of the teachers and staff who encouraged their classes to take part."

A Christmas card designed by Joseph Alexander Sheppard of Foxyards Primary School in Dudley will be finding its way through the letterboxes of hundreds of people across the country – including the Queen and the Prime Minister – after the youngster won Ian Austin’s Christmas card competition.

This year the Dudley North Labour MP received hundreds of entries to his contest.

The winning design shows a Christmas scene with Santa flying over the Houses of Parliament as well as some of Dudley’s own famous landmarks.

The cards were professionally printed in full colour and include the name and school of the winner and three runners up. Prizes include a family ticket to Dudley Zoo and Castle, a family ticket to the Black Country Museum and gift vouchers for Hobbycraft.

Mr Austin said: “Yet again, the standard of this year’s entrants has been really high. I loved Joseph's design of a Christmas scene with well-known Dudley landmarks such as the castle and zoo.

“It’s a huge privilege to go to Foxyards Primary and present Joseph with an award for his design skills.

“I’d like to thank all of the children and the schools who entered, and the local businesses who donated prizes.”

Cannock Chase's Conservative MP Amanda Milling also had hundreds of entrants to her competition from local school children.

She said: "It was exceptionally difficult to choose the winner, with all the entries being very good."

The contest was won by Livia Bentley, aged 10, from St Luke's Primary School.

"I am sure everyone will agree that this design is fantastic and particularly suited to Cannock Chase," Ms Milling added.

The two runners up were Phoebe Ryder, aged 10, from West Hill Primary School, and Harvey Watson, aged 10, from Churchfields CE Primary Academy.

Ms Milling added: "Both of the runners-ups were great designs and it was very hard to choose the winner. I would like to thank the hundreds of local school children who took part in the competition, all the designs were brilliant.”