Talented schoolboy Haris Vincent entered a design competition because he wanted to meet the Queen – and he was absolutely delighted when his dream came true.

Seven-year-old Haris, of Macmillan Way, Little Plumstead, was one of about 35,000 young people across the country to take part in a Blue Peter competition to create an image for the official emblem for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee next year.

And from the thousands of entries, his colourful design of a coat of arms, crown and the number 60 was picked as the winner of the six to eight-year-old category.

On Tuesday Haris and his dad Sean Vincent, 30, went to Buckingham Palace where a special royal tea party was held for the top 10 young designers in each of the competition's age categories.

At the party Haris and the other children met the Queen and showed her their designs.

They also enjoyed tea and cakes in the royal household and were given a tour of the palace.

'There is nothing more special than meeting the Queen,' said Haris, who goes to Little Plumstead C of E Primary School.

'I entered the competition because I thought it could be a great opportunity to go to Buckingham Palace and meet the Queen.'

Haris, who wants to be either a designer or a policeman when he is older, said he was extremely excited when the Queen spoke to him about his design.

'The Queen shook my hand and I did not want to wash my hand afterwards,' he said.

'She said my design was a very nice drawing and that I had the most important thing in the design, the 60.

'She asked if I liked drawing and I said that I did. It made me feel very happy that the Queen was saying all those things about my work.

'I am going to write the Queen a letter to say thank you for the opportunity to come to Buckingham Palace, and put 'PS: I think you are cool'.'

Mr Vincent said he was overwhelmed by his son's achievements and that he was very proud to see Haris show the Queen his work.

'I am more proud than I can ever explain.

'To see your child achieve something like that is something that you think you can only dream of, and it has come true,' he said.

Haris was given a special framed picture of his design and this is now going to take pride of place in the Vincent family's living room.

The overall winner of the competition was 10-year-old Katherine Dewar from Chester, whose design features a crown poised above a Union flag with diamonds in columns down either side.

The Queen described the winning emblem, which will appear on everything from posters to commemorative tea cups, as 'splendid.'

Have you or someone you know been honoured for something? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk