A PUPIL at a school threatened with closure has designed the Christmas card being sent out by Batley and Spen MP Mike Wood.

Eleven thousand people will receive the card drawn by Lauren Howard, who is in the year six class at R M Grylls Middle School, Liversedge,

Mr Wood said: "Lauren's design is very cheerful and I hope it impresses those who receive it as much as it impressed me."

Councillors are due to decide the fate of Lauren's school on December 21 after pupil numbers fell to 140.

Mr Wood said closure would have a devastating effect on the community.

"There are no educational grounds to close the school and Kirklees has never had as much money to run, improve and refurbish schools as it does now," he said.

And a young girl from Penistone will see her design on 15,000 Christmas cards being sent out by the Yorkshire Building Society.

Jasmin Pickering was six when she entered a competition through her Brownie Rainbow group.

She created a simple Christmas tree with bright baubles and a happy yellow star that immediately caught the eye of the judges.

More than 1,000 entries were received from across the country.