THE winner of Conservative Central Devon MP Mel Stride’s yearly Christmas card competition has been announced.

Chloe Rice of Hatherleigh Community Primary School won the contest with a picture of a robin that Mr Stride described as “fantastic”.

The two runners-up were Erin Nicol of Cheriton Fitzpaine Primary School and Jenson Scott of Chudleigh Knighton C of E Primary School.

“The entries to my Christmas card competition were outstanding this year,” Mr Stride said.

“Deciding on the prize-winners was very difficult but I absolutely loved Chloe’s picture.

“I hope to visit Hatherleigh Community Primary School soon to award Chloe with her prizes of an art kit and book voucher.”

Headteacher Alan Monger added: “Everyone at Hatherleigh Community Primary School is incredibly proud of Chloe for her wonderful drawing.”

Last year, the winner of the contest was Ellis Withey of Yeoford Community Primary School who drew a picture of two snowmen.

The card was delivered to Rishi Sunak MP, who was prime minister at the time.

The competition winner in 2022 was Joseph Charlesworth of Bow Community Primary School. His picture of Larry the Cat outside No. 10 Downing Street was also delivered to Mr Sunak.

Married with three daughters, 63-year-old Mel Stride has been MP for Central Devon since 2010.

He is currently Shadow Chancellor and was previously Work and Pensions Secretary in Rishi Sunak’s government.

He only just avoided losing his seat at the general election this summer, beating the Labour candidate by as little as 61 votes. This was a significant drop from his 17,721-strong majority in 2019.

He went to Portsmouth Grammar School and studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at St Edmund Hall, Oxford.

Mr Stride set up Venture Marketing Group, an events and publishing company, in 1987. He and his wife Michelle still hold shares and voting rights in the business.