BOLTON West MP Julie Hilling went to a special source for her Christmas card this year — schools in her constituency.

And 10-year-old Emma Joseph, who attends St Bartholomew’s Primary School in Westhoughton, didn’t disappoint the Member of Parliament — beating entries from hundreds of other children to the top spot.

Her winning festive design was sent from Ms Hilling’s office around the world, with a copy going to other MPs around the country and even the Queen and US president Barack Obama.

Adam Mortimer, aged nine, and also a pupil at St Bartholomew’s, was a runner-up with his snowman card.

Ms Hilling said she was bowled over by the standard of cards designed for the competition, which she holds every year.

She said: “All the young people entering have put in so much hard work. I’m so proud to use the winning cards on my final Christmas Card.

“It was great to hand the prize to our overall winner Emma and runner-up Adam. The enthusiasm of their headteacher Mark Johns and his teaching staff truly contribute to their imaginative artistic skills.

“I will be continuing to visit schools who have participated in my competition locally and reward the efforts of everyone that took the time to produced a Christmas Card design.”