A five year old’s picture of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer dancing by a ‘two metre apart’ sign has won the Big Issue’s Christmas cover competition.

The joyful, mask-wearing reindeer, drawn by Evelyn Weston from North Yorkshire, was chosen out of hundreds of entries for the magazine’s annual children’s competition.

It will feature on the front cover of the Big Issue from Monday.

Evelyn’s mum Jackie said: “She’s such a little artist and spends so much time drawing, it’s amazing for that to be recognised. She was very happy her picture is going to help people.

“The Big Issue design took her a few hours. She has a really good eye. We got lots of Christmas pictures out and she used lots of different things for reference, though the reindeer came from her own imagination.”

Author and illustrator Nadia Shireen, whose books include Good Little Wolf and The Bumblebear, judged this year’s entries.

She said: “I really was taken aback by the volume and standard of entries – huge congratulations to everyone who entered. It’s been an absolute nightmare trying to pick my favourites.

“Choosing the winner was incredibly tough but it was felt that Evelyn’s picture gave such a feelgood, positive spin on our times.

“Rudolph is wearing a mask but nothing’s going to stop him dancing! Oh, this cover made me so happy. I love the bright colours and Rudolph’s definitely got all the right moves.

“A responsible kitchen disco with a load of reindeers… absolutely joyful.”

Big Issue editor Paul McNamee said: “Every year we’re knocked out by the quality and volume of entries.

“Choosing a winner was more difficult than ever but Evelyn’s reindeer was so happy, despite the two metres and face mask.

“You can’t help but smile and feel better when you see it.”