Sharon Hodgson MP chooses the winner for her annual Christmas card competition.

10-year-old Ellie has scooped the top prize in Washington and Sunderland West MP Sharon Hodgson’s annual Christmas Card Competition.

The John F Kennedy Primary School pupil’s design, marking Washington New Town’s 50th Anniversary, emerged as the overall winner from dozens of competition entries from local primary school children during an awards ceremony earlier today at the Washington Arts Centre.

The panel of judges, which as well as Sharon comprised: Local Art Teacher and National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD) National President Susan Coles; Sunderland Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture Councillor John Kelly; Local Washington East Ward Councillor Fiona Miller; and Derek Burrell, General Store Manager and Maureen Wallwork Events Co-ordinator from ASDA at the Galleries; praised Ellie’s picture for its originality and being so topical in Commemorating Washington’s 50th Anniversary.

Ellie’s design will now be printed on the front of Mrs Hodgson’s Christmas card and sent to top politicians and public figures around the country, as well as local groups, organisations and community leaders.

The two other age-category winners are from Lambton Primary School in the Nursery and Reception category, and in the Year 1-3 category, who will have their designs featured on the inside of the Christmas card.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Mrs Hodgson, said: “Running this competition is one of the highlights of my year, because you can see from the effort and the imagination that goes into every card just how excited the children are about Christmas.

“That does mean that it’s always really difficult to pick a winner out of all the excellent entries, but it was the theme of Ellie’s design which really made it stand out, and I can’t wait to see it on the printed cards.

“Once again I’d like to thank all the teachers and school staff and of course the children who have made this competition possible, and to the many local businesses who have generously donated great prizes for all the winners and the children shortlisted.”

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