Philip Dunne congratulates Bethan Robinson from Church Stretton on her remarkable achievement in an international competition to draw a Peace Poster organised by the Lions Club.Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow recently congratulated Bethan Robinson, 12, from Church Stretton, on her remarkable achievement in an international competition to draw a Peace Poster organised by the Lions Club.

Bethan's poster was judged best at all stages (school, Lions Club, and district) right up to national level. It was then sent to America and judged against 110 short-listed entries at an international level. Bethan was awarded a special merit award, winning prize money over £500 through the various stages for both herself and her school.

This is the first time that an entry from the Lions Club of Great Britain has ever received a merit award in the past 10 years of this competition. Local Lions Club leaders are rightly proud that a pupil from Shropshire has produced one of the 23 best entries from an original total of 350,000 worldwide.

Bethan visited the House of Commons with her parents Fred and Alison earlier this month to collect her award.

Local MP Philip Dunne said: "Bethan is a very talented artist who has drawn inspiration from her ballet dancing to create this marvellous poster. It is terrific to have an international award for her splendid drawing."

Photo: Philip Dunne MP congratulates Bethan Robinson on her award winning Peace Poster in the international Lions Club competition.