A Wordsley 10-year-old’s picture of a very festive Zoom video call is on its way to Downing Street and Buckingham Palace, after she won a competition organised by Dudley South MP, Mike Wood.

Holly Barnes’ design features an online meeting between Santa, nine elves, Rudolph and a number of other familiar Christmas characters.

Holly, who attends Ashwood Park Primary School, beat off nearly five-hundred entries to emerge as the overall winner in the annual competition. Mike said: 

“We have some fantastically talented young artists in the local area, and it’s always tough to choose an overall winner – but Holly’s design seemed so clever, and so very 2020, that she had to take this year’s top spot.

“I think most people have had more than enough of video calls, and can’t wait until we can get together properly face-to-face once again, but out of all of the video calls we’ve made during the pandemic, I don’t think any of them can have been as much fun as the one in Holly’s picture.

“It is sure to raise a smile from even the most Covid-weary of people this Christmas.”

As well as having her design displayed on the front of the MP’s Christmas card, the young artist was also presented witha framed copy of her winning design and thank you letter from Mike, a Cadbury’s selection box, and a family day pass sponsored by the Black Country Living Museum. 

The MP also presented the six runners-up with framed copies of the final card, as well as other prizes donated by CadburyWorld, Dudley Zoo and Castle, and the Red House Glass Cone.

The six runners-up's designs are included on the back of the card, and feature: 

• A Christmas face mask design by Androulla Boujouri, Year 6, from Fairhaven Primary School; 

• A cosy Christmas fire-place scene by Jesvin Jeyarajan, Year 6, from Netherton Church of England Primary School;

• A festive Buckingham Palace scene by Joshua Eaglesfrom the Brier School;

• A traditional nativity scene by Heidi Fellows, Year 1,from St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in Kingswinford; 

• A handprint angel design by Zack Malpass, Purple Class,from Pens Meadow School;

• A Christmas tree design by Lucas Page, Year 2, from Dawley Brook Primary School

As a special surprise, Intu Merry Hill will also be displaying hundreds of the entries in the shopping centre over the Christmas period.