A TOWN mayor has chosen an unusual image for his official Christmas card this year - a striking photo of beneath the resort's pier.

A TOWN mayor has chosen an unusual image for his official Christmas card this year - a striking photo of beneath the resort's pier.

Over the years, Felixstowe's civic card has featured festive paintings by artists of scenes from around the seaside town, and winter photos of the area.

This year mayor Mike Deacon selected Underneath the Pier by 17-year-old Matthew Cornwell after seeing the sixth-former's work at an AS level exhibition last summer.

Mr Deacon said the photo captured an unusual image of Felixstowe but one which most people who visit the seafront and walk the prom would be familiar with.

He said: “I know it's unusual for a Christmas card, but I just thought it was a great photo and knew that was what I wanted for the card.”

He was greatly impressed with Matthew's work at the exhibition at Deben High, and also that of many of the other students at the school.

Matthew, who is studying A levels in art, photography and film studies, and is aiming to study fine art at university, took the photo for his AS course work and used it as the basis to paint a six feet by four feet canvas of the same scene.

He was struck by the different colours and textures under the century-old pier, and the way the light played on the water lapping around its base.

Matthew said: “I did try on the computer to play around with the image and make it a bit more Christmassy by adding some snow and different borders but Mr Deacon said he wanted it just the way it was.”

Another sixth-former at Deben has also had her artwork turned into a Christmas card.

Eleanor Dunn's stunning abstract photograph was chosen by head Rob Cawley for the school's card.

He said: “We have some fantastic artistic talent at Deben, and Eleanor and Matthew's cards are a wonderful way to be able to share the talent of our students with the local community.”

Eleanor said “I took two images one of a dressed-up stilt walker and the other of a wind sock. I then merged the two images together and used a variety of effects on Photoshop.”

What has been your favourite Christmas card this year? Send in your favourite or quirkiest design by Tuesday to the Evening Star Christmas Card Competition, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.