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A girl of nine has won a competition to design a 50p coin to celebrate the London 2012 Olympics.

Florence Jackson beat 17,000 other entries to win a Blue Peter contest and work with the Royal Mint on her design, which shows a high jumper.

She 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 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!"

Florence, from Bristol, is the first child to design a UK coin. She was joined at the Royal Mint for the striking of the first one by Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis and Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere.

The coin will be the first in a series of 29 50p pieces that will commemorate London 2012. They will appear in circulation next year.

To read the complete article, see: Florence Jackson, 9, wins competition to design coin to celebrate London 2012 Olympics (www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/10/13
/small-change-115875-21743297/)