NOW that autumn has well and truly arrived and the nights are drawing in, preparations have begun for Christmas in Crewe.

Cllr Dennis Straine-Francis, Mayor of Crewe, has launched a competition for children to design his official Mayoral Christmas Card.

"Would you like to help me switch on the Christmas Lights in Crewe on Friday, November 27?," he said.

"Come up with an idea for my Christmas Card, enter it into the Christmas card competition and you will be in with a chance to come and join me welcome in Christmas in Crewe."

The competition is open to children aged 11 or under who live or go to nursery or primary schools in Crewe.

The Mayor and his consort will personally choose the winning design. The design will then be used as the Mayor’s Official Christmas Card for 2015 and will be distributed around Crewe and beyond this festive season.

Entries need to be no bigger than A5 preferably drawn on the competition entry form.

The image must be the child’s own design and be colourful.

Entry forms can be downloaded by visiting crewetowncouncil.gov.uk/christmas-card-comp-2015 or by emailing to the Mayor at mayor@crewetowncouncil.gov.uk.

Each entry must have the child’s name, age and contact details on it and be delivered to the Crewe Town Council Offices before Sunday, October 25.

Unfortunately no entries can be returned.

If you would like any further information on the competition, or wish to invite the Mayor to attend an event or function you are holding, please contact Crewe Town Council by emailing mayor@crewetowncouncil.gov.uk or by calling 01270 756975.