A teenager was today gearing up for an out-of-this-world holiday after winning a nationwide design competition.

Samantha Woolf, from Raymonds Drive, Thundersley, entered a Young Telegraph space aliens-themed contest last September.

Entrants had to come up with a design for a new stationery set - and the talented 13-year-old's bedbugs pattern was chosen as the best by judges.

Samantha won a family trip to visit NASA and Disneyworld in Florida next month. The package also includes spending money and a free camera.

First up will be the two days astronaut training at a space camp. This will include space simulations in a gravity chair and a chance to join mission control.

Then Samantha, her 11-year-old brother Ashley, and mum and dad, will be whisked to Mickey Mouse's Magic Kingdom in Orlando for five days of fun.

The four will stay in a resort hotel, and visit the new animal kingdom, the Disney/MGM studios and Epcot Centre as well as have unlimited access to the park.

The King John school student has also won supplies of folders and files featuring her design, which has been made in conjunction with WH Smith.

Mum Lesley said: "We are very proud of her, it is going to be a great holiday.

"Samantha is very excited. Not just about the trip but because she gets to give out all the folders to her friends. They look great and she has done really well.

"She is a good drawer and it is quite an achievement. It was a national competition and it would be interesting to know how many people entered."

Florida-bound - talented Samantha Woolf, holding the bedbugs designs which earned her top prize

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

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