THE competition was tough, but a 13-year-old schoolgirl from Southampton has been declared the winner of a poster campaign to stop people carrying knives.

Lily Golden, a pupil at Bitterne Park Secondary School, was paid a visit by Southampton police's leader against knife crime, Chief Insp Andy Bottomley, to announce she had scooped first place.

Lily was among more than 100 children across the city who entered their colourful artwork into the police contest, backed by the Daily Echo.

As well as receiving £50 in vouchers, she will have the proud moment of seeing her work emblazoned across the back of two city buses in the new year.

The colourful creations of the schoolchildren will also go on display at Southampton City Art Gallery in coming weeks.