An eight-year-old girl won a family trip to the panto after designing the best Christmas light.

Eva Almeida met Santa at the Christmas lights switch on in Croydon after winning Croydon BID’s design a light competition.

Primary school children from across Croydon were asked to come up with their ideas for a new Christmas light to be displayed during the festive celebrations.

Her design of a Christmas tree toppled the competition and the former St James the Great Primary School, was rewarded with four tickets to Aladdin at Fairfield Halls.

The panto stars Eastenders actor Larry Lamb who turned on the Christmas lights in the town centre.

Proud mum Rhona Fairbairn said her daughter’s reaction to being told she had won was: “I never win anything.”

Eve’s winning Christmas light design will now be created and installed as part of the town centre’s lights display.