SIX-year-old Sophie Armitage's colourful painting won a school Christmas card design competition organised by South Lakeland District Council (SLDC).

SLDC’s chairman, Cllr Eric Morrell, picked out Sophie’s entry to become the design for his official 2017 council Christmas card.

Cllr Morrell said: “Instead of choosing a standard design from a catalogue I decided to ask the school close to where I live in Grange-over-Sands if they’d like to have a competition to create one for me.

“Imagine my surprise when more than 100 children from Grange C of E Primary School took part, creating some wonderful, colourful, interesting, entertaining and original work.

“Sophie’s winning card design has very strong colours and the overall image works so well, it really stands out and makes me smile.”

Cllr Morrell expects to send out around 200 of his official, signed SLDC Christmas cards.

Sophie’s prize for winning the competition was a framed and enlarged print of her drawing, an art set and 12 of the cards for her own use.

The runners-up, six year-old Charlie Hirst and five year-old Elana Scott, both received a set of colouring pencils and also had their designs made into 12 cards.

Cllr Morrell says he hopes SLDC will do something similar next Christmas to involve the local community.

“I would particularly like to thank the school and congratulate all the children who took part in the competition which has made a very special start to my Christmas. I know people who receive my cards over the coming weeks will be absolutely thrilled,” he said.