Colston's Pupil Designs Official Olympic Fifty Pence Coin

A pupil at Colston's Primary School, has

become the first child ever to work with the Royal Mint to

design a UK coin. Florence Jackson, aged 9, took part in a Blue Peter

competition to design a coin for the 2012 Olympics and her design was

selected from over 17,000 other entries.

An

excited Florence told her school web site, "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 high-jump because I'd

watched it on TV before and thought it looked fun." 

Florence was taken to the Royal Mint to see her picture being turned

into a coin. She was joined by Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis and

Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere. The design is only the 17th to

appear on the UK's 50p and the new coins will be in general

circulation from March of this year.

Denise Lewis said of the design: "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.

There are over 700 million 50 pence pieces in circulation in the UK.

The new Olympic design will be minted at The Royal Mint's home in

Llantrisant, South Wales.