A Colwyn Bay school girl’s artistic talents and attention to detail have landed her first prize in Clwyd West MS Darren Millar’s annual Christmas Card competition.

Every year Darren invites school pupils across his constituency to design a Christmas card which he sends out across the local area. Every year there is a theme and for 2023 it was ‘Christmas Animals’.

Emma Lidgett, 10, a pupil at Ysgol Pen y Bryn, Colwyn Bay, was selected as the overall winner with her impressive artwork featuring Darren at the zoo surrounded by a variety of animals.

Darren said:

“As always, the standard of entries was extremely high and my office team and myself had the difficult task of choosing an overall winner.

“In the end we all agreed that Emma’s picture deserved to be featured on my card. We loved the attention to detail, and, given that the prize for my competition is a family trip to the Welsh Mountain Zoo, the fact the Emma had featured me visiting the zoo was very apt.

“It was a real pleasure to meet Emma this week to thank her for creating such a beautiful design and to present her with her prize. My card has been kindly sponsored by the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay, so Emma has received free entry to the zoo for her and her family. I hope they all have a fantastic day out, as well as a great Christmas.”   

Darren added:

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone else who entered my competition - we certainly have some talented young artists in Clwyd West! I would also like to thank the headteachers and teachers at all the schools for encouraging the children to take part.

“My card is currently in the process of being sent out across the area and I am sure Emma’s talents will be greatly appreciated by all who receive it.“