SONGS of Praise has launched a Christmas card competition and wants budding artists to dig out their paintbrushes to help raise money for BBC Children in Need.

The competition will give people the opportunity to have their artwork featured on a Christmas Card which will be sold during the festive period to raise money for the charity.

BBC Children in Need currently funds three projects in Bury with £165,469 hard at work to benefit young lives.

The competition is open to people of all ages and 10 winning designs will be chosen by a panel of expert judges and will go on sale as a box set with proceeds going to BBC Children in Need.

Launching the competition, Songs of Praise presenter Josie d’Arby said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for people of all ages to pick up a paint brush and express what Christmas means to them. The prize is amazing — having your image seen on Christmas cards around the country and all whilst raising money for Children in Need. For any budding artist or hobbyist, it doesn't get better than that. Go on unleash your creativity!'

Entries are required to be two dimensional and designed on 140mm x 140mm sized card or paper. The competition is open to beginners and amateur artists. Professional artists may not enter. Entries should be submitted by post to Songs of Praise Christmas Card Competition, 1st Floor BBC Dock House, Media City, Salford, M50 2LH.

Entry forms and full terms and conditions available on the Songs of Praise website: bbc.co.uk/songsofpraise.

The deadline for entries closes on May 23.

The winning designs will be announced during Songs of Praise on Sunday, June 12.