A SCHOOLGIRL has been crowned Bolton’s Champion Elf.

Keira Matthews, aged 7, of Firwood Grove, Tonge Moor, was selected for the honour by a panel of top judges headed up by Father Christmas at Crompton Place shopping centre.

Chosen from dozens of elf hopefuls for her fabulous outfit, winning dance moves and all-round happy, helpful elf-y demeanour, Keira was handed the top prize of £100 Crompton Place shopping vouchers at the very festive finale on Saturday.

She said: “It was really good fun. We had to dress up as an elf and then dance around and play some games with Santa. We did musical statues and whoever was the best at that and the dancing won the prize.

“I got to tell him what I wanted for Christmas too and I’ve asked for a Lego Friends set.”

Proud parent Wanda Matthews watched Keira and her five-year-old sister Keelie who also entered the competition, while two-year-old Kaiden and Rosie, aged one, stayed safely on the sidelines with their mum.

Wanda said: “I knew about the competition a few weeks ago and the girls were both keen. Keelie won a fancy dress competition at a Christmas party we were at last year so Keira’s made up now that she’s won something as well.

“They had to come all dressed up and then had their faces painted earlier on and they’ve had really good fun with all the games.

“Keira’s a pretty good dancer and she’s got a great big skirt on so maybe that helped her win but they were all lovely. He could have picked any one of them.

“She can’t wait to spend her prize. I’m going to take her round and let her pick what she wants, which probably means some Lego and some Barbie things!”

Launching the competition in Bolton for the first time this year, Santa Claus explained how he needed an extra pair of hands in the run up to Christmas.

He said: “It is such a busy time for me and really I need all the help I can get. There are still hundreds of toys to organise, the reindeer to train up and so many children to meet between now and then.

“I was hoping to find someone who can be my Bolton-based Champion Elf and I think Keira will be perfect for the job.

“She’s happy, smiley and a willing assistant as well as having a lovely outfit so I’m delighted to welcome her to my team. With her help we’re going to make this Christmas an extra special one.”

The Champion Elf contest was open to any children aged 11 and under and many came dressed to enter while others had their faces made up in advance at the special Elf Yourself station in heart of the shopping centre.

Crompton Place Manager Paula Wood said that it had been a fantastic event and the calibre of entrants had been extremely high.

She said: “It has been very exciting to help Santa in his search and I’m delighted that so many Bolton youngsters came forward to help him.

“The standard of entries was unbelievable and all of the children and their families have gone to so much effort.

“As a family-orientated shopping centre at the heart of the community this means so much to us and I am delighted that Santa has been able to choose Keira to help him.

“It has been an honour to host this event and I think she makes a very worthy winner.

Paula joined Father Christmas on the judging panel, alongside Bolton’s Mayor and Mayoress Councillor Martin Donaghy and Mrs Gay Wharton.

Councillor Donaghy said: “The Mayoress and I were delighted to be on the judging panel to find the Champion Elf of Bolton at Crompton Place and pleased so many children took part in this really fun event.

“There were many lovely little elves, but we could only pick one and we think that Keira will be a brilliant Chief Elf.

“For anyone who wants even more festive fun for the children, take them down to our Winter Wonderland; with a snow slide, an ice rink and Santa’s grotto, there’s something for all the family.”

For more information go to www.crompton-place.co.uk or go to the centre’s Facebook page or Twitter account @CromptonPlace.