TWO children from the district have scooped the top prizes in a competition held across London and Essex to make a Christmas card for the Bishop of Barking.

Felicity Hayes Hollington, aged four, from Moreton Church of England Primary School in Ongar, and Caitlin Black, from St John’s Primary in Buckhurst Hill, aged nine, won first prize in the key stage one and two categories respectively for their dazzling designs.

Rev David Hawkins, who as Bishop represents five east London boroughs and the Epping Forest district, said he was delighted with the youngsters' efforts.

He added: "Of course the high standard of entries made choosing a winner a really tough job, and this year we've had more choice than ever - not only in the quantity of entries, but also in the quality.

"It was wonderful to see evidence that so many children were so fully engaged with art.”

This year's competition, which had the theme of "the true meaning of Christmas", featured hundreds of entries from schools across the region.

Runner-up in the key stage one category was Melody Dawson, aged four, of St John’s Primary School in Buckhurst Hill.

The runner-up in the key stage two contest was Kate Hawes, of Wanstead Church School in the borough of Redbridge.

The winners all received a selection of art materials, with Felicity and Caitlin also getting 50 printed copies of their designs.

The winners were chosen by a judging panel including the bishop, along with other religious figures and artists from across the region.