A WANTAGE schoolgirl has won a national art competition out of 13,000 entries.

Alice Dunford, 11, from Wantage CofE Primary School, was one of nine winners from 200 schools for her Christmas card design – a picture of a teddy bear taking a robin for a walk in the snow against a rainbow background.

Alice, pictured, who uses the artistic pseudonym Alys, said: “I didn’t really know a lot about the competition so it was a big surprise to win.”

The Mini Me greeting card company organised the free creative competitions for schools and nurseries.

Nine national winners were rewarded with an environmental habitat of their choice for their school. Children could choose between a bug hotel, a birdhouse, a beehive and a hedgehog house. Last night Alice was still trying to decide.

Mark Sutcliffe, who owns and runs Mini Me, said: “I don’t really chose an overall winner, but Alice’s was probably the best out of all the winners.” Picture: OX57038 Jon Lewis