A WIRRAL schoolgirl has been crowned Merseyside’s ‘Champion Elf’ in a festive competition.
 

Ellen Burrell, from Moreton, picked up first prize in the Merseyside Elf Championship which was run by The Grange and Pyramids Shopping Centre.
 

The eight-year-old’s hard work helping her mum make her winning costume paid off as she beat more than 50 other budding elves in the contest on Saturday.
 

Ellen, who attends Christ Church Primary School, said: “It was very surprising to win and I am very happy to be the Champion Elf.
 

“It has been really good fun and I am looking forward to telling my friends about it at school. I helped my mum make my costume and so I would like to say thank you to her for helping me win.”
 

And her mum, Sharon, said: “It has been a lovely, festive and enjoyable event for the children to get involved in and really well organised.
 

“I can’t believe Ellen has won and it was lovely to see her face when they called out her name.”
 

The event also saw nine-year-old Charlotte Hughes from Spital take the runner-up prize.
 

The Redcourt St Anselm’s pupil said: “My gran made my outfit for me and I decorated it so I am really pleased that I have got a prize and I think my Gran will be too.
 

“I am very happy because I didn’t think I was going to win anything.”
The winning elves received a stack of prizes from the Early Learning Centre, Argos, The Perfume Shop and Max Speilmann.
 

Mayor of Wirral Cllr Gerry Ellis, who was on the judging panel, was also impressed with the entrants.
 

He said: “We were delighted to be part of the whole experience and the children and their mums and dads went to a huge effort preparing costumes and were really showing their support for the championships.
 

“It has obviously helped bring a big boost to The Grange and Pyramids and I think the whole idea is a wonderful, festive innovation for the shopping centre.”