A schoolgirl from Westhoughton has won a national competition to design the mascot for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022.

Emma Lou, 10, a pupil at St James Daisy Hill CE Primary School, had her entry for the mascot chosen from hundreds of submissions in a national competition in the summer of 2020 to design a mascot that represents the history, identity and culture of Birmingham.

Emma’s design features a bull called Perry ­— an animal synonymous with Birmingham ­— and is covered in multi-coloured hexagons, used to symbolise the coming together of the Commonwealth in equal partnership with the diverse communities of Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Emma Lou was told the news she’d won the competition with a special visit from Perry to her home in Westhoughton.

She said: "I feel as if I’m in a dream! I think the mascot is great, he looks so cute. I am really excited to come to the Commonwealth Games and it will be amazing to see Perry in the opening ceremony.

"I chose a bull because of the Bullring in Birmingham, and I decided to use hexagons because they are the strongest shape and the whole world depends on each other.

"I am so excited that my design will be seen by so many people!"

Eric Lou, Emma’s father, is extremely proud, saying: "It is such an honour for her design to be chosen to inspire the Birmingham 2022 mascot, and as a family we can’t wait to come to Birmingham for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

"It will be such a special experience that I am sure Emma will remember for the rest of her life.

"I was so impressed by Emma’s mascot design. She has taken the Brummie bull and made him extra special. Her design is all about the strength that comes with bringing people together, and that couldn’t be a more powerful message right now."

Catherine Watkin, headteacher at her school, said: "We are absolutely thrilled and filled with pride at Emma’s success. This is a once-in-a-lifetime accolade, to create a global icon that will be recognised by over a billion people worldwide.

"We invited the children to take part in the competition and we knew, along with many of our other pupils, that Emma would jump at the opportunity.

"Emma has demonstrated that she is multi-talented and this showcases her capabilities beyond our wildest dreams.

"Emma has created something spectacular, that embodies and champions the values of Birmingham and the Commonwealth Games alongside those we share at St James."

Chris Green, MP for Bolton West, said: "I would like to congratulate Emma for her achievement. I am delighted that my constituent will make such an impact on the look of a global sporting event. I know that everyone at St James will be proud of her."

Emma and her family have also won four tickets to the Commonwealth Games’ opening ceremony on July 28 2022.