BUDDING artists have been congratulated after the winning Christmas pictures were chosen in an MP’s Christmas card competition.

Witham MP Priti Patel has picked the top designs from school pupils to feature on her Christmas card this year.

The competition began in 2010 and has been held each year as a festive tradition.

Southview School pupil Kyle Worland, 10, was announced as the overall winner.

A number of schools took part this year and have been thanked by Ms Patel for their contributions.

Ms Patel will present Kyle with the winning Christmas card that features his design at Southview School before the end of term.

The MP will also visit runners-up, Natalia Coyle, nine, of St Luke’s Primary School in Tiptree, and Alex Harkins, six, from Howbridge Infants School in Witham to thank and congratulate them for their designs.

The runners-up designs will be featured on the back of the card.

Ms Patel said: “Each year this competition showcases the wonderful creativity of children from a wide range of local schools and I am very impressed with the outstanding quality of the designs submitted.

“This year’s competition was an even greater pleasure and challenge to judge.

“Once again, pupils across the Witham constituency have demonstrated their hard work and creativity, and they should all be very proud of the artwork they submitted.

“My congratulations to Kyle for his winning design which will look wonderful on my Christmas card this year.

“I would also like to congratulate the runners-up and thank all the pupils who participated.

“I wish them, their parents and school staff my very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.”