A SCHOOLGIRL'S interpretation of the work of author and artist Beatrix Potter won her a major prize in a prestigious show.

Nine-year-old Emily Beachcroft, of Hindley Green Primary School, is one of just three winners of the David Bellamy School's competition, organised in conjunction with the Southport Flower Show.

The theme of this year's show is fine art, and schoolchildren throughout the North West were invited to design a garden-based on the theme and the work of their favourite artist.

Emily's design features Jemima Puddle-Duck, a duck shed, a host of honeysuckle, foxgloves, ivy, pansies - and a copy of Sporting Life.

Her design will now be re-created by experts and turned into a garden for more than 120,000 visitors to see at the three-day event in August.

She will also receive £500 for her school, £50 for herself, an art set and a book on Beatrix Potter. She will also be given tickets for the show and will meet show celebrities Professor David Bellamy and pop star-turned gardener, Kim Wilde.

Teacher Barbara Brown said: "I'm so pleased Emily has won. She puts everything into everything she does. The competition has been great and has fitted into the curriculum in many ways. We have been doing some work on the Victorians and Beatrix Potter was one of the chosen authors. As she was an artist too, the children decided to incorporate her work in their competition entries."

Judy Haselhurst, Southport Flower Show's marketing manager, said: "We are delighted with the number of schools taking part and the entries were outstanding, The children had obviously put a lot of hard work and thought into their designs and judging was extremely difficult. However, Emily's design was lovely and will make a striking garden at this year's show."

The show takes place on August 16-18 at Victoria Park showground.

For details, call 01704 547 147 or for ticket bookings telephone 0870 4444226.