A Shepherds Bush girl has beaten the competition from over 3,000 other children around the country to win a Christmas card drawing competition.

Cassia Thakkar, nine, of Ingersoll Road, won first prize in the contest for children aged five to 12, run by estate agents Strutt and Parker.

This is the first time the competition has been won by a local resident. Strutt and Parker director Rupert Wiggin presented Cassia the award and said: "The entry beat all the other entries hands down and we are very impressed with the artwork."

More than 14,000 copies of Cassia’s card will be distributed nationwide by the firm with her school, Norland Place School in Notting Hill, receiving £500 for allowing her to use its art department.

Cassia's mum Uday says her daughter was "ecstatic" about her victory and was awarded a book token for her efforts.

December 31, 2010