Early Christmas thrill for pupil

Ellie's card beat competition from 2,500 schools

Christmas has come early for a 13-year-old schoolgirl after she won a contest to design a festive card to celebrate Big Ben's 150th anniversary.

Ellie Williams of Cefn Saeson comprehensive school, Neath, beat competition from 2,500 UK schools.

Ellie, from Tonna, received her winning certificate during her first ever visit to London where she was welcomed by her local MP Peter Hain.

She said: "It was a thrill to visit Parliament."

The competition began for Ellie in December 2008 when Mr Hain wrote to all schools in his constituency encouraging them to take part.

The MP's office was inundated with entries and her entry, along with four runners-up, was chosen out of hundreds to represent Neath at the national finals in London.

As part of the prize for winning, Ellie met Michael Martin, the Speaker of the House of Commons, and Jill Pay, Serjeant at Arms, as well as Mike McCann, Keeper of the Clock and the Clock Mechanics.

She then attended a reception in the evening where winners were presented with certificates and gift packs.

Mr Hain greeted Ellie Williams in Westminster

Certificates and limited edition badges for runners-up will be presented in the coming weeks.

Welcoming Ellie to Westminster, Mr Hain commented: "There was a very high standard locally and at a national level so this is a fantastic achievement."

Mr Hain added that it was fast becoming a tradition for Neath schools to win such competitions, as Ellie's victory came months after Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cwmgors won the EU Year of Intercultural Dialogue painting competition.

Big Ben was completed in 1859, the great clock started on 31 May and the great bell itself was first struck on 11 July.