A Christmas card design competition has been launched for children in Welwyn - and the chosen winners will do the honours at the big light switch on.

The chairman of Welwyn Parish Council, Cllr Marj Otty, is looking for a brilliantly festive Christmas card design that will be sent out as the Parish Council Christmas card for 2022. 

The competition is open to all Reception/KS1 and KS2 children within the parish which includes Welwyn, Digswell, Oaklands, and Mardley Heath. 

There will be two categories for entry: Reception/KS1 which is ages four to seven and KS2 between the age of eight and 11. 

Those who win the top three places win prizes while the overall winner will have their design printed as real Christmas cards. 

The winner will also be invited to help switch on the Welwyn Village Christmas lights on Friday, November 25, at 5pm. 

In a Facebook post, the council said: "Calling all budding artists in Reception, KS1 and KS2.

"We need a fabulously festive design for the Parish Council Christmas Card for 2022. The winner will receive a bundle of Christmas cards designed by them to send to family and friends and an invitation to switch on the Village Christmas lights on Friday 25th November 2022!!"

All designs must be created on A4 paper and can include anything Christmas related and must lie flat.

Glitter or Christmas stickers are not allowed. You must also include your name, age and your parent or carers phone number. 

Entries must be delivered to the Parish Offices, Lockleys Drive, Welwyn before 5pm on Wednesday, November 23, which is the closing date for the competition. 

For more information about parish council events, go to welwyn-pc.gov.uk, or find the council's Facebook page. 

The light switch on in Hatfield on Saturday, November 26. A week later, on Saturday, December 3, there will also be a Christmas-themed farmers’ market in White Lion Square with fresh and local produce.

Welwyn Garden City's offering is on November 19, and will see the unveilng of a Santa sleigh built from scratch by Rotarians.