A CASH prize was awarded to a school pupil who won a Thornbury finance company’s Christmas competition.

Six-year-old Max Daniel correctly guessed the number of presents in the Cadman Wealth Planning’s window display beating 20 other children who entered.

He won £25, as well as a £500 cheque for his school - Crossways Infant School, presented on Tuesday, January 10. The Mayor of Thornbury Cllr Helen Harrison, also attended the prize giving at the company’s offices on The Plain.

The executive headteacher for the school, Mark Toogood, said: “I’m delighted for Max and we are all really proud of him. We recently resurfaced the school playground and will use the prize money for a hopscotch and numbers game so that the children can have fun learning maths outside.”

Max added: “I’m really happy – I didn’t think that I would win.”

Anna Shipp, a 25-year-old receptionist from Cadman Wealth Planning, organised the competition which she made tricky by hiding some of the presents from view.

She said: “We did a similar competition in October as a trial run, but it wasn’t as popular as not all of the children celebrate Halloween. We had a much better response this time and hope to make it an annual occurrence.”

The company’s director, Robert Cadman, said: “We’re delighted children from the local schools participated and we enjoyed getting the local community involved.”