Schoolgirl Amber Hayler’s artwork is to take pride of place in the centre of Witney.

The Aston and Cote Primary School pupil won a competition to design the artwork for hoardings surrounding the town’s Marriotts Close development.

Amber’s painting was chosen as the best in a public vote ahead of five other designs by pupils from other primary schools in the area.

Headteacher Marjorie Ottley said: “We are very pleased and proud that one of our pupil’s paintings has won.

“It is a good representation of the quality artwork being done at the school.”

Amber, eight, said: “It feels quite amazing to have won the competition. I didn’t know if I was going to win, but I thought I might.

“Our teacher asked us to paint a picture of the countryside in Oxfordshire. It was quite hard and it took a couple of days.”

The schoolgirl was also presented with a £50 cash prize by David Woolnough, project manager for developers Simons Group.

Amber added: “My teacher said she was jealous because she didn’t win the £50! I don’t know what I’m going to spend it on yet. I think I’m going to visit the toy shops and have a look around.”

Proud mum Katrina Faulkner said: “I’ve told her it’s entirely up to her what she spends it on. I’m very pleased for her.”

The school, near Bampton, was also awarded a cash prize of £200, which it plans to spend on a visiting artist in residence.

Jill Dunsmore, West Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member for communities, said: “It has been great to put some artwork up on the hoardings while the development is taking place.”

witney@oxfordmail.co.uk