A YOUNGSTER from Winchester received an early Christmas gift – first prize in a Christmas card competition.

Kayleigh Hayes, 7, from Harestock, submitted the winning entry the winning entry in the 4-7 year olds category in a national competition run by Action for Blind People.

Kayliegh, who took home a set of art material for her efforts, said: “I am happy and excited about winning the Christmas card competition.”

The competition aims to show that sight loss isn’t a barrier to art and school pupils and members of the charity’s clubs for blind and partially sighted children were invited to come up with designs that would be sent to the charity’s sponsors.

Philip Wagstaff, of Action for Blind People, said: “We were delighted with the effort that youngsters put into their designs. We provide a range of sporting, social and creative opportunities to help young people develop; boosting their confidence by proving that sight loss isn’t a barrier to success. Kayleigh is proof of this; well done to her and to all the other youngsters who took part.”