Six-year-old schoolgirl to have honour of switching on Whitby's Christmas lights

With more than 150 pictures to choose from, Cllr Linda Wild spent a long time considering each design, selecting one overall winner – Alya Stamp of East Whitby Academy.

Alya will join Cllr Wild and Leah Hunter – Whitby RNLI’s first female inshore lifeboat helm - on the This is the Coast Radio Stage at the opening of Whitby Christmas Festival on Friday November 18, for the lights switch-on.

Alya’s winning design will be printed as the Mayoral Christmas Card and sent out to other councils, friends and contacts across the world, including King Charles. Alya wins a book token for herself and one for her school.

East Whitby Academy and Stakesby Primary Academy both submitted a brilliant selection of imaginative and creative designs.

Cllr Wild said: “Once again, the standard of work is so high that making a decision was incredibly difficult.

"Each young artist had really considered the theme and put a great deal of effort into their picture.”

The standard of work was so high this year that Cllr Wild has also selected four designs to be awarded Highly Commended.

These are by Gracie Hewison, 8, and Leo Grason, 9, of Stakesby Primary Academy, and Lyla. 7, East Whitby Academy, and Nula Moon Raven, 10, a pupil at Hawsker C of E Primary School.

All the designs will be on display in the Pannett Art Gallery from Wednesday November 24 to Sunday December 5, from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

The gallery is closed on Mondays.