One lucky winner, under the age of 16, will be selected to turn on the illuminations at the Christmas celebration in Harrow town centre in front of thousands of revellers.

The Harrow Observer has teamed up with Harrow Council to run the Christmas Card competition and we are inviting children from all over the borough to send in a colourful design to be in with a chance of winning this fabulous prize.

The winner will also see their design published in the Observer newspaper and website, as will a selection of runners up.

The Christmas celebration is the highlight of the calendar and this year will be held on Saturday, November 30, from noon to 6pm. The lights switch on will be followed by a spectacular fireworks display from the rooftop of St George’s Shopping Centre and visitors will be able to enjoy performances from local groups plus some yet-to-be announced stars.

Harrow Observer news editor Mhairi Macfarlane said: “This is a fantastic prize and promises to be a great event, so get your colouring pens out and start designing today.”

Council leader Susan Hall said: “This competition will give children the chance to be at the heart of our Christmas celebrations by performing the exciting task of switching on the lights. This is a great way of encouraging children to be creative and also get them involved in a community event. I look forward to seeing the winning creation and watching the lucky winner perform their task.”

How to enter

Get your creative thinking cap on and come up with a festive Christmas Card design. It could include Father Christmas and his reindeer, a snow-covered winter scene in your area, a snapshot of your favourite things at Christmas, or perhaps what you imagine the Christmas lights will look like in Harrow town centre.

Send your design (no larger than A4) using the form below, no later than Monday, November 18, 2013. Or post to: Christmas Card Competition, Harrow Observer, Gazette House, 28 Bakers Road, Uxbridge, UB8 1RG.

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Terms and conditions

All entrants must be under the age of 16 and have permission from a parent/guardian to enter. The winner will be selected by a panel of judges. The winning child’s parent/guardian must be happy for their child’s picture to be taken for the newspaper and council communications related to the competition. The editor’s decision is final and usual TMS terms and conditions apply and can be viewed at: http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/rules/ .