Pictured: Eyes down for the judges of the BHSF Christmas card competition, left to right, Laura Freeman, Dave Nuttall, Sharon Timmins and chief executive Peter Maskell

It was judgement day for scores of pupils from St John's Primary School in Ladywood when their work came under scrutiny from a local company.

The judges were from healthcare insurer and employee benefits provider BHSF, who were choosing a design for the company's Christmas card as well as a winner from each of the age groups.

Each year BHSF asks pupils from a local school to enter the design competition as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.

Peter Maskell, chief executive of BHSF, headed up the judging panel and said: "Each year judging becomes more difficult as the artistic talents of the pupils improve.

"Our corporate Christmas cards go to nearly 1500 clients and I know they are very much appreciated. We are very keen to promote neighbourliness as part of our commitment to CSR."

The winner of the competition will be presented with a prize at a special ceremony in assembly and those who come first in each age group will also receive prizes. And the school will receive a donation to its funds.

For more information about BHSF, please visit their website here: www.bhsf.co.uk