Christmas has come early for five budding artists who picked up prizes in this year’s council Christmas card competition.

Primary schools across Hertsmere were invited to take part in the borough council’s ninth annual art contest at the beginning of term to design a Christmas greeting.

Hundreds of entries were received from 11 schools across the borough.

Judging took place at the end of October by Hertsmere’s Mayor, Cllr Carey Keates, and his ten-year-old granddaughter Gracie.

First prize went to Nabrissa Badu, aged ten, from Cowley Hill Primary School in Borehamwood - her image of festive characters holding hands with a happy Hertsmere ‘H’ logo will be used as the council’s electronic greeting.

Riya Rajesh, aged nine, from St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School, scooped second prize for her peace on earth design which the Mayor choose as his official greeting card.

The Mayor also choose three runners-up whose designs particularly caught his eye, including Jack Trimmer, aged five, from St Teresa’s school, Bella Radley, aged eight, from Ladbrooke JMI School in Potters Bar, and Belle Gilligan, aged ten, also from St Teresa’s school.

Mayor cllr Keates said: “We thoroughly enjoyed looking through the designs, it was lovely to see so many children put the effort in. It was a difficult decision to make but the five winning cards stood out for us.

"It was particularly interesting to find that three of our five winners were from St Teresa’s School in Borehamwood so well done to them.

"Congratulations go to all the winners and we’d like to say a really big thank you to all the children and schools that took part."

All five winners received a certificate, gift voucher, a poster of their design and a pack of cards to give to friends and family at the presentation held yesterday.