A Darlington girl has designed a Christmas card which will soon be winging its way across the globe to the homes of world leaders.

Bethan Bowles, ten, a pupil at Harrowgate Hill Junior School, designed the winning Christmas card for Darlington MP Alan Milburn.

Her image was chosen from hundreds of entries by Mr Milburn and Northern Echo editor Peter Barron.

Bethan's design will be turned into more than 1,000 cards, which will be sent to President George Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair, among others.

Her mother Helen Bowles, said: "I am absolutely thrilled and excited for Bethan."

Ten primary schools entered and the judges had to choose from more than 400 pieces of art. There were eight overall winners.

Mr Milburn said: "The quality of the children's art work has been amazing. We were really impressed with the original thought and creativity depicting this year's theme, which was Christmas around the world.

"We would like to thank everyone who took part."

Headteacher of Harrowgate Hill, John Warburton, said this was the third Christmas card competition his students had won this year.

"We do a lot of digital art in school and that has come through, the children love it."

All entries will be displayed in a shop front in the Cornmill Centre over Christmas.

The competition was sponsored by Sainsbury's, Northumbrian Water, the Cornmill Centre and Mr Milburn.