A YOUNG Ryedale artist has moved a step further to becoming one of the designers of Royal Mail’s 2013 Christmas stamps.

Megan Herbert’s design has been selected as one of the best entries from thousands in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

The 11-year-old, who lives in Wrelton, will go through to the next stage of the competition where judges will select their top two entries to represent the region in the national final.

During the national final, The Prince of Wales will lead a panel of judges who will select the two designs from 24 finalists that will feature on this year’s first and second class Christmas stamps.

Megan has already won £100 in vouchers and £100 for Sinnington Primary School, where she and fellow pupils entered the competition.

Her mum, Sarah, said Megan, who now attends Bootham School in York, was delighted.

“It was a really big surprise for Megan – she is over the moon,” she said.

A spokesman for Royal Mail said the company had received 240,000 entries from children aged four-11 years old from across the UK in response to the question ‘What does the Christmas season mean to you?’ “Only twice before in Royal Mail’s history – 1966 and 1981 – have the official Christmas stamps been designed by children,” said the spokesman.

“As with all special stamps issued by Royal Mail, both winning designs will have to be approved by The Queen.

Other Christmas stamps for different postal rates, and a religious-themed issue, will also be available from November 5.”

To view the entries submitted to the competition visit www.royalmailstampcompetition.com