A Hornchurch pupil has helped to create the Christmas decorations at The Liberty Shopping Centre after winning a competition.

Emily Evans, nine, from Wykeham Primary School, created a nativity play scene with an audience for the competition to create a Christmas bauble.

A centre spokeswoman said: “Emily’s design won because it was a unique representation of Christmas, and encompassed the story as a school play and even captured the reverse angle of the seated audience. It was such a clever approach.”

Emily’s winning design has been made into a giant sized bauble, which has been installed to the glass ceiling of the shopping centre.

The giant bauble was unveiled on Tuesday when a rope was pulled by Emily, her school art co-ordinator Caroline Law, headteacher Mahrukh Katpitia-Mistry, along with The Liberty Shopping Centre manager Jonathan Poole. They were assisted by Emily’s classmates and shoppers.

Emily said: “When I found out that I won the competition I couldn’t believe it, I was overwhelmed.

“My inspiration for my artwork first came from the idea of a Christmas dinner, then I thought about a Christmas play and people watching it. Today has felt amazing.”

Jonathan Poole said: “Congratulations to everyone who participated; the number of entrants and standard were extremely high, so all of the entrants should be proud of themselves. In particular the winning student Emily, whose design was fantastic and we felt that it truly represented Christmas in your school.”