A SCHOOLGIRL’S artistic skills will be drawing attention to Dudley in the corridors of power after she won a festive card competition.

A Christmas card design by Ellie Durnall, aged 7, has been chosen to feature on Dudley North MP Ian Austin’s parliamentary cards, which will be sent to the Queen, the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Mr Austin met up with Ellie, who goes to Milking Bank Primary School, on December 12 to present her with a prize after her design was chosen out of 500 competition entries.

The winning card shows Santa Claus flying over Dudley Castle surrounded by animals from the zoo.

Mr Austin said: “Yet again, the standard of this year’s entrants has been really high. I loved Ellie’s picture of a snow-covered Dudley castle and zoo, which was brilliantly drawn and really showed off our heritage.

“It’s a huge privilege to go to Milking Bank Primary and present her with an award for her design skills.

“I’d like to thank all of the children and the schools who entered, and the local businesses who donated prizes.”

Jolie-Mai Powell from Cotwall End Primary, Charis Martin from Foxyards Primary School, Ben Jackson from Priory Primary School and Sally Bennett from Straits Primary School were picked as runners up.