SLIDESHOW: Contest attracts best Loom Band designs

Loom Bands have captured the imaginations of thousands of children and young people across the country.

A month ago The County Times invited people in the Horsham district to enter a competition to find the best Loom Band creations.

The Entertainer’s Steve Shepherd chose Emily Pullen, aged ten, from West Chiltington, as the winner with her mobile phone cover. She will get a £25 Entertainer voucher.

Emily said: “It is my birthday next week, so this is a lovely surprise and I look forward to spending the voucher.”

Her mum Susan added: “She loves them. She’s made all sorts of jewellery - necklaces, even rings. Lots of her friends and her brother’s friends.”

Steve told the County Times Emily won because he had never seen a Loom Band phone cover before.

The runners up, who will received £10 vouchers, were Louise Smith, ten, from Rusper; Saffron Penticost, 12, from Broadbridge Heath and Tamsin Stubbings, nine, from Horsham.

He picked Louise because her owl was very creative and made with ‘quite a lot of effort’.

Louise said: “I like looming because you can be creative and be yourself when doing it. My mum likes it because it gets me off the i-Pad!”

Steve chose Saffron because of the thought she put into making her bracelets. She has made them for causes including Gay Pride, and Armed Forces Day.

Saffron said: “I love making loom bands because I can make them to suit my mood or my clothes or to mark things that are going on in the world.

“I can also make them for gifts for friends and family in their favourite colours. I love the different patterns and bright colours and being able to make each one individual.

Tasmin won because Steve was impressed with the detail in her glove.

She said: “It’s really fun, and I love the way you can make anything with just tiny rubber bands, like charms, bracelets and give them to friends and family.”

The County Times would like to thank all the people who entered. All the entries can been seen in the slideshow.