FESTIVE primary school pupils have won themselves an early Christmas present from the Mayor of Bury.

One of Bury Council's official Christmas cards has been designed by six-year-old Kate Smith of St Mary's CE primary in Hawkshaw.

Her creation, entitled The Snowman, took first prize in the first Bury "design a card" competition, which attracted dozens of entries from local primary school children. They were judged by a panel chaired by the mayor, Councillor Wilf Davison.

"The judges were amazed at the high standard of the entries from what are extremely young pupils," he said. "We should be all be very proud of their achievements."

Three other cards were highly commended. These were from Mohammed Abbid, from Holy Trinity CE in Bury; Layton Williams, from St Paul's CE, Bury; and Olivia Stevens, also from St Mary's CE in Hawkshaw.

Coun Davison is inviting all the winners to meet him in the Mayor's Parlour to receive their prizes.

Prints of the winning card, along with two other official cards showing winter scenes in Bury, will be available from Bury Town Hall, Tourist Information Centre and other council outlets towards the end of November.