After the success of the competition I ran last year with Brentwood and Ongar's primary schools to design a Christmas card I can send to constituents, contacts and colleagues, I am running the competition again this year and hope to receive even more entries.

Last year hundreds of children from our local primary schools took the time to paint, colour, draw and craft some amazing pictures and designs. A huge pack arrived from Warley Primary School alone, and I am convinced almost every child at the school sent me a picture. It was a great feat of organisation by one small primary school and I was delighted by the children’s enthusiasm.

Every child who lives in, or attends school in, my Brentwood and Ongar constituency and who was born on or after 1st September 2007 can take part in this competition. The rules are simple: entries must be A4, and coloured in pencil, pen or paint (no glitter!). 

The designs should be sent to me, Alex Burghart, at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA with your name, address, and/or school clearly marked. Please also provide an email address for your school or parent/carer. All entries must arrive by 5th November 2019, so it could be a good task for half term family fun.

The winning design will be printed and sent out across Brentwood and Ongar as my Christmas card this year, with the winner’s name and school printed inside.

Last year, Imogen from St Helen’s Junior School won the competition with a colourful picture of Father Christmas and Rudolph flying over the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, and I cannot wait to see what marvellous and imaginative designs turn up this year.