Amber wins competition to design Hull MP's Christmas card

Six-year-old Amber Bentham of Bricknell Primary School was today announced as the winner of this year's competition to design the Christmas card of Hull North MP Diana Johnson.

Amber will now be taken by Hull Trains to join Diana Johnson MP at Westminster before Christmas to deliver her winning card in person to 10 Downing Street.

The winning entry and runners-up have been selected by BBC's Look North's Peter Levy from hundreds of entries submitted by children in ten primary schools across the Hull North constituency.

The finished Christmas card design will be printed at Palm Press in Hull and sent by the MP to hundreds of people across the country. These range from constituents, family and friends to regional and national figures in charities, business and politics - including the Prime Minister.

Prizes for the competition have been donated by local competition sponsors. These include Hull Trains, Hull City AFC, The Deep, Sainsbury's, Hull Truck Theatre, Croda, BAE Systems and Yorkshire and Humber UNISON. The winner will also be treated to tea at the House of Commons.

Hull City will be printing all the best entries in their matchday programme for their home fixture against Southampton on Saturday 2 December.

Competition judge Peter Levy said: "Picking a winner was extremely difficult. There were so many excellent entries, but Amber is to be congratulated for producing such a colourful and striking design. She's a worthy winner this Christmas."

Diana Johnson MP said: "Amber's drawing is now being printed up as my 'official' 2006 Christmas greeting card. It will be sent to my family, friends and colleagues across the country and abroad. I look forward to welcoming Amber in Westminster to deliver her winning card at 10 Downing Street.

"I am truly impressed by the standard of the entries from Hull North's primary schools. This is the second year the competition has been organised and it has proven even more popular than last year. It is great to showcase the creative talents of Hull children as they capture the magic of Christmas.

"I am indebted to all the headteachers and class teachers who encouraged their pupils to take part; the Hull businesses and others who have kindly sponsored the competition with some wonderful prizes; and to Peter Levy for accepting the tricky job of doing the judging."