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C³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's Blue Peter today, 13 October 2009, announced that nine-year-old Florence Jackson from Bristol is the winner of the Royal Mint's Design a 50p Coin competition. Florence will be the first child in British history to design a circulation coin.

Florence won the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see her design appear on 50p pieces after she took part in one of Blue Peter's most important competitions, beating over 17,000 other entries. The competition was launched to tie in with London 2012.

Florence said: "I am so excited. It was a real surprise to win. I'd never entered a Blue Peter competition before, but really wanted to take part because I love drawing. I chose the high-jump because I'd watched it on TV before and thought it looked fun. It was amazing to visit the Royal Mint and see my picture turned into a coin. I can't wait to see it in my pocket money!"

Tim Levell, editor of Blue Peter, said: "Blue Peter prides itself on epic competitions, but Florence's achievement is perhaps the most significant in Blue Peter's history. Her design will not only go into circulation next year, but – as the first coin designed by a child – will end up in museums for thousands of years to come. The fun and vitality of her drawing won over all the judges and is a clear and well-deserved winner."

Florence was joined by Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis and Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere at the Royal Mint to strike her first coin and will be officially announced as the competition winner on tonight's Blue Peter – ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One, 4.35 pm.

Her winning design depicts the high-jump, celebrating the Olympic and Paralympic discipline of Athletics. The design will feature on millions of 50 pence coins in people's change next year.

Denise Lewis said: "Florence has done all Olympians and Paralympians proud. Her design is simple and effective and I'm honoured to say I saw it first. Florence is a very deserving winner and her coin is a great illustration of how everyone can be a part of London 2012."

Notes to Editors

C³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ won the Children's Channel of the Year Award at the Children's BAFTAs in November 2008 and was named Children's Channel of the Year at the Broadcast Digital Awards in June 2009.

Figures show that C³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is one of the most-loved channels for children, and it reaches more six to 12 year olds than any other children's channel in the UK. Almost a third of all six to 12 year olds in digital homes in the UK tune into C³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ on a weekly basis.

TD