A COUNCIL'S first Christmas card competition has been hailed a massive success, with more than 500 entries received from nine schools.

The competition, run by Chester-le-Street District Council, has been open to entries within two categories, primary and secondary schools.

The winning entry from each age category is being used by council leader Councillor Linda Ebbatson and chairman Councillor Allen Turner as their official Christmas cards.

The primary school winner was Emma Mould, ten, of Cestria Primary School, while the secondary school winner was Michelle Pritchard, 11, a pupil at Park View Community School.

Coun Turner hosted a presentation of certificates and prizes at the Civic Centre yesterday for the 20 young people whose entries were short-listed.

A broad selection of the artworks can be viewed during December in the Civic Centre exhibition area, and a number of traders in the town centre will also display entries.

Coun Turner was involved in the judging, which took place at the Riverside Pavilion in October.

The primary school runners-up were: Bethany Whittle, ten, of Bournmoor Primary and Abbie Walker, seven, of Pelton Community Primary School. The secondary school runners-up were Charlotte Marlow, 13, of Park View Community School and Matthew Potts, 13, of Park View Community School.