TEENAGER Jenny Meredith got a surprise prize as her design for Felixstowe's three-D floral centrepiece was unveiled.

TEENAGER Jenny Meredith got a surprise prize as her design for Felixstowe's three-D floral centrepiece was unveiled.

The 15-year-old Deben High student was presented with a laptop for her winning design for the creation on the forecourt of the resort's seafront leisure centre.

Jenny said the aim of the piece, a long-haired mermaid with octopus tentacles in a sea of flowers, was “evil meets feminine”.

“It was very much a last-minute thing and I never imagined my drawing would win,” she said.

“I thought it might be bigger but it looks really good, and I had no idea there was a laptop for the winner.”

Runner-up prizes were presented to Deben students Ashley Ireland and Jack Emery, both 13.

The completed three-D sculpture was on show for the first time as Felixstowe in Flower - the lynchpin of the town's Anglia in Bloom entry - was launched.

The scheme, run by the town council, features a floral trail of hanging baskets, tubs and saddleboxes from Walton, through the shopping centre to the seafront, as well as competitions for gardeners, schools, businesses and allotment holders.

The regional judges are due to visit this month.

What do Felixstowe's floral displays do for the town? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk