Vince Cable presented young Christmas card designers with prizes after picking the winner of his annual card competition.

The Twickenham MP received hundreds of entries from 15 different schools, with the best 15 being awarded with a specials House of Commons teddy bear at his constituency office on December 16.

After a difficult time judging, Dr Cable selected Zara Shattock, a five-year-old from Hampton Infant School and Nursery as this year’s overall winner.

The winning design is featured on the front of the card sent to more than 45,000 households in Twickenham, Whitton, Teddington, St Margarets and the Hamptons.

Dr Cable said: “This is the 12th year I have run this competition and choosing the winner becomes more difficult each year.

“I was very impressed with the creativity that went into designing all of the cards and I want to thank all of the pupils who sent in entries.”

Runners-up included Palvi Patel from Clarendon School, Kira Marks from Buckingham Primary School, Clare Harrison from St Mary’s and St Peter’s School and Demi Hutton from Hampton Junior School.

They will have their designs displayed on the back of the card.