Christmas cards designed by two Burnley schoolchildren winging their way to Downing Street

Jay Jay Cropper, a year nine pupil at Coal Clough Academy and Maisey Ainsworth, who is in year six at Wellfield Primary School, were chosen as the winners of the competition run by Burnley MP Mr Antony Higginbotham.

The winning designs will now be used by Antony as his official Christmas card which will be sent to more than 700 people, including people across the borough and Westminster, with a card even going to the Prime Minister. The cards will be split between both designs.

Antony said: "When I first got elected last December I received hundreds of cards from fellow MPs, local residents and other groups.

"This Christmas I wanted to send out my own and in doing so wanted to reflect the best of Burnley and Padiham by showing the brilliant creativity of our young people.

"With that in mind, I decided to run a competition for a card design which all local schools were able to participate in.

"With so many creative entries it was hard to choose and I’d like to thank every school who took part. I’ve seen so many great designs and there’s no doubt that we have some amazingly talented children in our borough.

"But two definitely stood out - both Jay Jay and Maisey should be proud of themselves."

Both winners received a parliamentary goodie bag from Antony containing House of Commons chocolate, Christmas tree decorations and a parliamentary notebook or bear.