EXCITED youngsters looking forward to Christmas have now got a reason to think it's a small step closer.

Redditch MP and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has launched her Christmas card competition.

Doodle Redditch, which is open to all school children, is this year following the theme of panto characters in Redditch.

In the half-term break there will be workshops held by local groups where children can go to work on their cards as well as being entertained.

Ms Smith, who is working with Fay Todd, Palace Theatre heritage officer, said: "I'm delighted that more than a dozen local groups across the town are joining in my Christmas card competition by running workshops.

"It means many more people will have the opportunity to design Christmas cards and four people will also have the chance to design the first official Redditch Christmas cards."

Ms Smith added: "There are excellent prizes to be won thanks to Apollo and Staples and plenty of fun to be had along the way with stories and students dressing up as panto characters."

The winning children will see their cards sent out to hundreds of homes over the town and get prizes including a 15 inch TV, iPod Nanos and £20 vouchers from Staples.

To enter, either go to one of the workshops below or pick up an entrance form at the Palace Theatre before October 31.

The workshops take place on Saturday, October 20 at Arrow Valley Countryside Centre from 1-2pm, on Monday, October 22 at the Sandycroft Centre from 11am-noon and at Forge Mill Museum from 1.30pm-3pm and on Tuesday, October 23 at Kingsley College from 11am-noon.

They will also be held on Wednesday, October 24 at the Palace Theatre from 11am-noon, on Thursday, October 25 at the Redi Centre from 10am-2pm and at Woodrow Library from 10am-1pm and 2-4pm.