Shepton Mallet is looking for a festive artist to help launch Christmas in the town this year.

The town council has opened its 2026 Christmas card competition, with the winners getting the chance to switch on the Christmas tree lights at 5 pm on Sunday, 29 November.

Anyone can enter, with budding artists asked to create their own Christmas card design using a template provided by the council.

Entries must arrive by Monday, 16 November – and there is one important catch for anyone accustomed to doing everything online: only hard copies will be accepted.

Completed designs should be sent or delivered to Shepton Mallet Town Council at 1 Park Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BS.

Those selected as winners must be available to take part in the light switch-on at 5 pm on 29 November.

The competition will also have some help from local food company Charlie Bigham's, which has donated £1,500 towards this year's Christmas tree.

The company is also supporting children's workshops at Shepton Mallet Library during the light switch-on event and will help choose the winning Christmas card designs.

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The competition template can be downloaded from Shepton Mallet Town Council.

Entries must be submitted as physical copies rather than by email or online.

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