Surrey boy, 6, wins Big Issue Christmas cover design competition

Arnold Sam, from Epsom, Surrey, won this year's competition to design the front cover of the Christmas edition of the Big Issue

A six-year-old boy has won this year's competition to design the front cover of the Big Issue magazine Christmas edition.

Arnold Sam, from Epsom, Surrey, was praised by judges for his drawing of a "bright and beaming" Christmas tree alongside a depiction of Santa.

The competition, which had a "welcome" theme, attracted hundreds of entries.

"I felt so happy and really proud that my drawing will be on the cover of the Big Issue," Arnold said.

"The magazine helps people. I want to wish everyone a super happy Christmas and I hope Santa can bring Christmas gifts and joy to every nice kid in the world."

The competition had a theme of 'welcome'

Arnold's mother Queenie added: "He loves drawing and this opportunity was especially exciting for him."

Paul McNamee, the editor of Big Issue magazine, said: "This year's entries to the Christmas Kids Cover Competition were arguably the best ever.

"Hundreds and hundreds of fantastic festive entries flooded in, making it almost impossible to pick a winner."

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