Andrew Western, the Labour MP in Stretford and Urmston, has announced his Christmas card design competition.

Mr Western said he has been “asked on numerous occasions if I plan to launch a Christmas card competition”, since becoming MP last year. 

He says he has written to every school in the Stretford and Urmston area with hopes “that every child in the constituency will consider entering”.

The MP has provided a template for contestants to follow.

Each child that takes part will be sent a certificate from Mr Western, with the winner set to receive a small prize alongside this.

The winning design will feature on the Christmas card he will send to his constituents this year.

Runner-up designs will be printed inside the card.

Mr Western explained that his predecessor, Kate Green, previously organised such events for local children who “loved taking part”.

He also publicly thanked the sponsor, Therme Group, and recognised that “without their help, it wouldn’t be possible”.

Professor David Russell, chief executive at Therme UK, said they were “delighted” to be supporting Mr Western’s vision and explained “creating positive social impact and helping local communities is fundamental to Therme Group’s vision for Manchester”.

Mr Western, who is “happy I’ve been able to launch my own competition”, also has plans to send winning and runner-up designs to “local people, businesses, voluntary organisations, community groups, faith groups and schools”.

The competition will close on Friday (November 10), and applications should be sent to either Mr Western directly (andrew.western.mp@parliament.uk) or posted to: Andrew Western MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.