A YOUNGSTER impressed competition judges with her t-shirt design featuring a golden phoenix for veterans at a Help for Heroes recovery centre.

Lily Nicholson-Hume, 10, was hailed the winner of a competition run by Phoenix House recovery centre in Catterick Garrison to create a design for t-shirts donated to the centre by Lancashire fashion company VOI Jeans.

She used a golden phoenix and the slogan ‘never give up’ for her winning motif, which beat more than 50 entries from pupils at Le Cateau Primary School, Catterick Garrison.

Her design not only features on t-shirts but will be the centrepiece of an art exhibition at Bolton Castle, near Leyburn, at the end of June to mark Armed Forces Weekend, where all the young artists’ efforts will be on display.

Lily said: “I just thought that even if someone has been injured, either physically or mentally, they can still do everything they want to.

“The phoenix on the design is rising from the ashes as if from something terrible.

“It’s really exciting to have won and I can’t describe how it feels. I would like to be a tattoo artist when I’m older.”

During a special assembly at Le Cateau School, she was presented with her winning t-shirt, £40 in gift vouchers, art supplies, and a family pass to Bolton Castle.

Five runners up, Jac Wood, Lily Roberts, Cameron Stevens, Aiden Woolridge, Holly Smith, also received prizes.

Mark Airey, of Help for Heroes, was one of the judges. He said: “Lily’s design really caught the eye immediately.

Visitors to Bolton Castle will be able to see the children’s paintings from Armed Forces weekend on June 28 and 29, until July 11.