Alison Bennett MP announces the 2026 Christmas card winner after receiving over 400 entries
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Mid Sussex MP Alison Bennett has announced the winner of her 2026 Christmas card competition, following an overwhelming response from local talented schoolchildren.
More than 400 entries were submitted by pupils from 10 schools across Mid Sussex, almost three times the number received last year.
Following judging alongside local artist Kate Harries, three designs were shortlisted and put to a public vote on Facebook, with Martha, a Year 3 pupil from Lindfield Primary Academy, emerging as the overall winner.
Martha, who won the junior category, impressed voters with her festive collage depicting a reindeer and a fox in a snowy Christmas setting. Her design will now feature on the front of Alison's official Christmas card, which will be hand-delivered to 40,000 homes across the Mid Sussex constituency.
Congratulations also go to runners-up Stanley, a Year 2 pupil from St Wilfrid's CofE Catholic Primary School, who won the infant category with his coloured pencil drawing of a snowman against a blue sky, and Albert, a Year 7 pupil from Oathall Community College, who won the secondary category with his painting of a snowman in front of houses.
Both designs will feature on the back of Alison's official Christmas card.
Alison also sends a smaller number of Christmas cards to local organisations, individuals she has met throughout the year and fellow MPs.
Alison Bennett MP said: "It's been wonderful to see so many children across Mid Sussex take part in this year's competition. With over 400 entries, choosing our finalists was certainly no easy task!
"The creativity and effort that went into every design was fantastic, and I'd like to say a huge congratulations to Martha on her winning artwork, as well as Stanley and Albert for their brilliant entries.
"A big thank you also goes to Kate Harries for helping me judge, to all the schools and families who took part, and to everyone who voted. I'm really looking forward to seeing Martha's design on this year's Christmas card."
Alongside the cards being hand-delivered to homes across Mid Sussex, Alison will also send a smaller number of Christmas cards to local organisations, individuals she has met throughout the year and fellow MPs.
The competition also recognised a number of highly commended entries, celebrating the creativity of young artists from across the constituency.