FESTIVE scenes of Blackpool at Christmas, as seen through the eyes of 14-year-old Dexter Stott-Crook, are to drop through letter boxes across the town.

The teenager's brightly coloured illustration and 'Merry Christmas' message grace the front cover of Blackpool Borough Council's Yuletide card for 1999.

And lucky Dexter, who attends St Mary's Catholic High School, St Walburgas Road, Blackpool, was also the winner of the Key Stage three entries as well as scooping first prize as the overall design champ.

The winning entry for Key Stage One went to six-year-old Rebecca Daley, from Anchorsholme Primary, in East Pines Drive, Cleveleys, while Claire Thompson, eight, from Our Lady of the Assumption Primary, in Common Edge Road, Blackpool, won Key Stage Two.

All three youngsters received a gift voucher and certificate in recognition of their efforts.

Executive member for education, councillor Eddie Collett, said: "The response from schools was very good and we received lots of excellent cards.

"Choosing an eventual winner was very difficult and we'd like to thank and congratulate all the pupils who took part."

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