REDDITCH MP Rachel Maclean is on the look-out for a young student to design a Christmas card for her.

As the Member of Parliament, Mrs Maclean expects to send hundreds of festive messages to contacts that she has met since being elected in June this year.

She said: “I could have selected a snowy picture of Parliament or a wintry Big Ben, but I thought how much nicer to get a card designed by a local school child as part of a competition – the winner’s card will be selected to go to all my many contacts this Christmas, while their family will be given the chance to visit the Palace of Westminster.

"I am delighted to be launching this, my first annual Christmas Card Competition, and am looking forward immensely to seeing the entries come in.”

Entrants must live within the Redditch Constituency (this can be checked by going to the ‘Am I your MP?’ section at the bottom of Rachel’s website rachelmaclean.uk.

They must also attend a school within the constituency.

There is no specific theme for the competition, except of course that it should depict a Christmas subject.

The competition is open to every child of first or middle school age (up to and including Year 8), and entries should be no larger than A4 in size.

Children can use pens, crayons and pencils, however due to the printing process, entries cannot have items attached to them like glitter or cotton.

Entries must not be folded and the artist's full name, date of birth and school should be clearly marked on the reverse of each as batches may become separated during judging.

Please note that artwork cannot be returned and that The MP’s decision as to the winner is final.

Entries must be received in the Redditch office at Grosvenor House, Prospect Hill, Redditch B97 4DL, by 5.30pm on November 6.

A spokesman said: "This date has been chosen so children have the half-term to design and submit their applications. The winner will be announced later in November and Rachel will contact the winning pupil's school."