Bradford-based Hallmark Cards has helped a budding young artist achieve her dream today by turning her design into a Christmas card that will be on the shelves nationwide.

The fun and festive design created by Ella Wright (aged 10), from Southport, Merseyside, has been chosen from over 2,000 nationwide entries to win ‘Art Stars’; a competition held by ITV1’s Daybreak and Hallmark Cards. The Art Stars challenge invited youngsters aged 7-14 years old to create a card that captured exactly what Christmas meant to them, using a verse and artwork within their design.

Ella’s winning watercolour design shows Santa and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer about to take flight in a camper van full of brightly coloured gifts. It also features snow, Christmas lights and the greeting ‘Have a Cool Yule’ giving it heaps of festive feeling. It was this combination of creativity, visual appeal and imagination that rated extremely highly with the judges.

Ella was crowned as the winner live on ITV1’s Daybreak this morning and, as a result, her design will now be available nationwide in over 200 Hallmark stores, as well as the company’s online store www.hallmark.co.uk . Customers will be able to pick up a pack of six for just £1.99.

Ella, who was surprised by Anna Williamson from ITV1’s Daybreak at her local school with the news, said: “I’m so excited to see the finished card today and to be on national TV with the Daybreak team. All my class will be watching.

“I’m really pleased with the card – I’ve loved campervans ever since I saw one on holiday in Cornwall and I draw them all the time. I just can’t wait to go in to my local Hallmark store and see them on the shelves. I’ll be sending them to all my family and friends.”

Ella was one of five finalists to make it to the competition’s final round of judging. Whittling the entries down to just one winner was no easy task for the panel which included I’m a Celebrity star Joe Swash, Creative Director at Hallmark Cards Jo Bennett, Annemarie Leahy from ITV1’s Daybreak and Stevie Edge from Dulwich Gallery.

Jo Bennett, Creative Director at Hallmark Cards, said:   “We were blown away by the creative flair we saw in so many of the entries. It certainly made judging the competition a very tough task. The winning design was chosen because it had a festive feel with bright colours and it was obvious that there was a story behind the image. We all thought it was fun and really original too.

“Christmas is such a magical time for children and I’m sure this year will be an extra special time for Ella and all the lucky people who receive her card too.”

Since its launch in October, the contest has been supported by numerous celebrities and TV personalities including artist Neil Buchanan, ex-England and Liverpool goalkeeper David James and Giles Andreae, the renowned poet and creator of the much-loved Edward Monkton and Purple Ronnie ranges.

In addition to printing the finished products, Hallmark Cards will also be making a donation of £4,000 to the children’s charity Barnardo’s.