WITH only 10 weeks to go until Christmas Redditch students are being urged to get in the festive spirit and design a Christmas card.

Redditch MP Rachel Maclean is running her Christmas card competition and is on the lookout for a young student who lives in the constituency and attends one of the schools here to design her annual Christmas card.

As a Member of Parliament, Rachel will send hundreds of festive messages to contacts she has met in the 18 months since being elected, and, once again, the winning design or designs will go to all her many contacts this Christmas.

The MP said: “I can’t believe we’re already talking about Christmas! However, this means I get to launch this year’s Christmas card competition.

"It was incredibly difficult to choose last year’s winners, but the two winning designs were truly wonderful. I look forward immensely to seeing the entries come in.”

Entrants must live within the Redditch Constituency (check by visiting 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 any decision as to the winner is final.

Entries must be received at Rachel’s Redditch office at Grosvenor House, Prospect Hill, Redditch B97 4DL, by 5.30pm on Monday, November 12.