A LUCKY little boy has taken home a special prize, thanks to a partnership project between Salisbury Playhouse and the Wilton Carpet Factory.

The theatre and company got together to run a children's competition to design a magic carpet for Aladdin, star of the pantomime currently running at the Playhouse.

Seven-year-old Callum Batty was judged the winner of the competition and his prize was a rug made to his design by the Wilton Carpet Factory.

The competition, held at an Aladdin activity day at Wilton Shopping Village during October half term, was made possible with funding from a New Partners Award from Arts & Business, the organisation that encourages the business community to get involved in the arts.

Hundreds of children took part.

Callum's design featured the genie from Aladdin's lamp hovering over the Wilton Shopping Village buildings in a night sky.

Callum was presented with his carpet by managing director of Wilton Carpet Factory Peter Le Count and Aladdin, alias Victoria Lugg, at a ceremony earlier this month.

Fiona Markey, development manager at the Playhouse, who has been working closely with the Wilton Carpet Factory on the project, said: "It was great to see the wonderfully creative designs and we had a very difficult time choosing a winner.

"Working with the Wilton Carpet Factory this season has been a delight and demonstrates several ways in which the arts and business can very successfully interact."

Mrs Markey explained that the partnership began with the carpet factory sponsoring Aladdin and the magic carpet theme had created an obvious and entertaining link between the two organisations.

"Financial support from the commercial community is vital to the ongoing success of the Playhouse, and in return we can offer unusual and creative ways for companies to promote their brands and services," she said.

"Thanks to the generosity of Wilton Carpets and Peter Le Count, two special carpets were supplied.

"The first was specially made from Callum's design, a duplicate of which will be displayed in the Carpet Factory Museum, and the second was the carpet used by Aladdin in the show as his preferred form of transport.

"This project has put the Wilton Carpet Factory, quite literally, centre stage," Mrs Markey added.

Aladdin runs until Saturday, January 10.