A selection of schoolchildren across Middleton, Salford and Leyland have won prizes after participating in a letter-writing competition.

The 'notes to the North Pole' campaign invited children to write letters about what they enjoy most about the festive season and how they plan to spend time with loved ones.

The campaign brought by housebuilder, Lovell Homes, saw 60 youngsters drop off their letters at festive postboxes across three recent housing developments - Spinners Quarter in Salford, Eden Park in Middleton and Shawbrook Manor, Leyland.

The children were also given festive activity packs to keep them busy during the holidays with a word search, maze and more.

Lovell Homes has since announced one letter from each development has been selected to win a £100 M&S voucher.

Anne-Marie O’Doherty, regional sales director at Lovell Homes, said: “It’s been wonderful to hear about and see children from our development areas getting involved in this special campaign.

"We wanted to bring a sense of magic and joy to the communities we are working in, while also encouraging participants to reflect on the true meaning of this time of year, including friendship and family.

“We are so pleased to have also been able to extend some festive fortune – especially given the cost of living crisis – by offering M&S vouchers to the writer of one letter per development.”