DUDLEY North MP Ian Austin is sending out his annual Christmas greetings in a card designed by an artistic Lower Gornal youngster.

Straits Primary School pupil, Erika Shelley, aged 10, beat off competition from almost 500 entries to be chosen as the winning design for the MP’s parliamentary festive card, after he invited children to submit their designs.

Erika’s winning entry shows Rudolph flying over a festively decorated Dudley Castle and has been professionally printed as it is being sent to hundreds of Dudley residents, charities, businesses and community groups, as well as the Queen and the Prime Minister.

Mr Austin visited the Longfellow Road school to personally present Erika with her prize – tickets for the Community Shield football match and book tokens.
Ian Austin MP said: “Yet again, the standard of entrants has been really high.

"I loved Erika’s picture of a Dudley castle, which was well-drawn and very festive. It was also a great example of how we can celebrate our heritage.
“I’d like to thank all of the children and the schools who entered and the local businesses who donated prizes.”

Runners up, who also received tickets to Dudley Zoo and the Black Country Living Museum were Holly Clarke from Milking Bank, Caitlin Siviter from Roberts Primary, Katie Loftus from Redhill Primary and Molly Hickman from Cotwall End Primary – with their designs also featuring in the inside of the card.