NOT many schoolchildren can claim their Christmas card will end up on the Prime Minister's mantelpiece.

But this year, artist Holly Chambers' Yuletide greetings will be received not only by Tony Blair but hundreds of other MPs, organisations and people in north Kent.

Holly, who attends Painter's Ash School, in Gravesend, won a competition to design Gravesham MP Chris Pond's Christmas card, beating hundreds of other children from seven primary schools in the borough.

Headteacher Pat Jay broke the news to the excited eight-year-old. She said: "Holly was speechless and her eyes were like saucers and the rest of the children were cheering."

As part of the prize, Holly and her parents got to choose their Christmas tree courtesy of B & Q, in Gravesend.

Thanking Gravesham's teachers for their support Mr Pond said: "The standard of entries has been superb and the numbers were overwhelming. It is great to see so many children interested in art and design."

December 11, 2001 10:49