MP Gordon Banks has announced the launch of the Clackmannanshire and Dunblane Labour Party annual fayre and the final of his Christmas card competition.

The autumn fayre will take place on Saturday (22 November) in Alloa Town Hall, starting at 10.30am, and is an opportunity for the community to come together over coffee and cake with their MP and other elected representatives, as well as allowing them to enjoy a raffle and bric-a-brac stalls.

The final of the card competition – which has been running since 2005 and is open to all primary school children within his Ochil and South Perthshire constituency area – will also be held on the day.

Gordon said: “The autumn fayre is a firm fixture in my calendar and one which I very much look forward to. The opportunity to meet with constituents in a relaxed environment over coffee and cake helps me understand some of the issues facing our community.

“I’m also delighted that so many pupils from Ochil and South Perthshire take part in my Christmas card design competition and I’m always impressed by the quality of the entries. I hope that members of the local community can come along to the fayre and look at these designs on display and vote for the winner.” There were almost 500 entries into this year’s Christmas card competition and the field has been narrowed down to 18 finalists, whose work will be displayed during the fayre.

The contenders will be put to a public vote to determine the winner and all finalists will receive a certificate and prize, with the winning design put on the front of the Gordon’s card to be sent to other MPs and organisations.