A design featuring a smiley face on the clock of Big Ben has been chosen as the image for an MP’s Christmas card of the year.

Dozens of entries from local schools were received on the theme of 'Big Ben at Christmas' for Epping Forest MP Dame Eleanor Laing's Christmas card this year.

The winning entry, chosen by the judges, was created by Staples Road Primary School pupil Eloise Munday, who received her prize from Dame Eleanor at the school on Friday.

Dame Eleanor said: "It was great to receive so many lovely designs but Eloise's picture with a smiley face on Big Ben stood out from all the others."

Some 1,000 Christmas cards featuring Eloise's picture have been printed, with Loughton-based accountants Haslers sponsoring the competition by making a donation to the Chigwell Riding Trust charity.

Competition runners-up were: Eleanor (Year 5, Epping Primary School), Florence (year 3, Daiglen School, Buckhurst Hill), Jacob (Year 2, High Beech Primary School), Alicia (Year 4, Oaklands School, Loughton), Amelia (Year 6 (Theydon Bois Primary School) and Damiana (Year 6, Braeside School, Buckhurst Hill).