Hull North primary schools compete to design MP's Xmas card

Hull North MP Diana Johnson today launched her second annual competition asking local primary schoolchildren to design her official Parliamentary Xmas card.

This follows the success of the MP's first Xmas card competition held last year. At least nine Hull North primary schools have so far indicated that they will be taking part in the 2006 competition. As many as 2,300 children at these schools have been busy working on their entries since the start of the Autumn term.

Diana Johnson today reminded the participating schools that with a competition deadline of 6 October, there is fewer than three weeks left to get all the entries finished and ready for collection.

The winning Xmas card design will be sent to hundreds of people across the country; from constituents, family and friends to regional and national figures in charities, business, the media and politics - including the Prime Minister.

Peter Levy, presenter of BBC Television's Look North, has agreed to judge this year's competition. The winner will be announced in November and will receive a free trip to Westminster on a Hull Train with their family shortly before Xmas to meet Diana Johnson and hand in their winning card to 10 Downing Street. Meanwhile, their winning entry will be printed at Hull's Palm Press printers in time for December.

Additional prizes have been donated by other local competition sponsors. Apart from Hull Trains and Palm Press, these include Hull City AFC, The Deep, Sainsbury's, Hull Truck Theatre, Croda and Yorkshire and Humber UNISON. The best entry from each school will also get a certificate to recognise their efforts.

Diana Johnson MP said: "I want Hull North primary school pupils to design my official 2006 Xmas card.

"Following the success of this competition last year, I again want to send out Xmas cards that are a bit different from the usual run-ofthe-mill cards you get from MPs. Xmas is best seen through the eyes of our youngsters and I know that there is great artistic talent and imagination in local schools.

"I recently contacted all the primary schools in my Hull North constituency to invite them to enter the competition. Many have joined in the spirit of the occasion and there is still time for others to enter by contacting my Hull office on 01482 319135. However, with a 6 October deadline for entries, there is not much time left to get those designs finished and ready for collection!

"I am delighted that Peter Levy of BBC Look North has agreed to be this year's judge. Thanks to our local sponsors, there will be great prizes for the overall winner and the best entries from each school. They will also get a signed certificate."

Competition judge Peter Levy said: "Although I am sure it will end up being a tough decision when I choose the competition winner, I am looking forward to seeing just how creative Hull North's primary schoolchildren can be in capturing the magic of Xmas in their designs."