CHRISTMAS cards designed by talented pupils at a County Durham primary school will be sent to leading politicians and business people.

Every Christmas, since his election in 2007, Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson turns to the children of his constituency for help spreading festive cheer around the House of Commons.

Each year, Mr Wilson invites children at a different school to enter a parliamentary Christmas card competition and, this year, the honour went to Dean Bank Primary School, in Ferryhill.

The creative youngsters pulled out all the stops to impress Mr Wilson but in the end it was ten-year-old Xander Edwards who proved triumphant.

His colourful design, featuring candy canes and Christmas trees, has been printed on to cards, which will be distributed to politicians, dignitaries and business people across the UK.

Ruby and Jarrod Webster, aged nine and seven respectively, were the runners-up and their designs have been printed inside the card.

Mr Wilson said: “It was a very difficult decision as the standard was so high. I felt the winning designs really reflected Christmas and they were very original.

“Christmas is all about children and it is wonderful to get them involved.”

Xander’s grandmother, Carol Dinsley, said the whole family were proud of the youngster.

“We are all over the moon,” she said. “Xander will be talking about this for weeks.”