IT was a tough decision, but somebody had to win. After beating off competition from more than 200 other pupils across Fareham Victoria Goodsell has been crowned the Daily Echo poster competition winner.

The 11-year-old was presented with the very first copy of the poster bearing her anti-vandal design in front of her classmates at Crofton Anne Dale Junior School in Stubbington.

Victoria said she was shocked that she had won the competition, but extremely happy.

"I decided to enter the competition after it was announced in assembly. I decided on the design after that and just got on with it. I did most of the poster at home and it took me a few hours.

"I do like art and I am really glad I won but really shocked as well when I was told."

As well as a framed copy of her winning design Victoria was also given a bag of goodies courtesy of the Daily Echo including a sticker set, two videos, a DVD and £20 of vouchers.

Headteacher of Crofton Anne Dale school James O'Brien said he was delighted to have an award-winning artist at the school, that is coincidentally named after the late Councillor Anne Dale, who was herself a noted local artist.

Mr O'Brien said: "There was a lot of interest amongst the children to enter this competition and they all really enjoyed taking part."

Daily Echo editor Ian Murray said: "The judging panel had a very difficult task picking the winner but Victoria's design really stood out. Many congratulations to her for her wonderful artwork. I hope she enjoys seeing the poster displayed around Fareham."

The competition was organised by the Daily Echo in response to a vandalism taskforce launched by Fareham Council and Hampshire police.

The group was set up to tackle the problem of vandalism that had escalated in the borough. Along with Victoria's design the poster also gives details of who to contact if residents see damage being committed.

The posters will be distributed around Fareham at community centres and newsagents later this week.