Children to design 2012 emblem for royal jubilee

A search to find the design will be launched on Blue Peter and thousands of drawings are expected to flood into the BBC programme.

The winning logo will be used on a range of items from London buses to crockery marking the Queen's 60 years on the throne, and during the year.

The Government has already said there will be an extra bank holiday to help create an extended weekend in June 2012, which will provide a focal point for celebrations, while Greenwich will become a royal borough to mark its association with the monarchy.

The Diamond Jubilee weekend will take place just weeks before the start of the London Olympics and a host of other events are expected to take place in the monarch's honour.

In June it was announced Prince William will become patron of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields challenge – to create and protect hundreds of playing fields – in tribute to his grandmother.

The emblem design will be chosen from the winners of three age categories six to eight-year-olds, nine to 11-year-olds and 12 to 14-year-olds.

Entries cannot feature an image of the Queen but must include a crown and have to be submitted on an A4 sheet of paper by December 8.

Previous jubilee emblems were created by professionals.

The judging process will be overseen by experienced British designer Martin Lambie-Nairn and the judging panel will include children's illustrators, designers and Blue Peter staff.

The Blue Peter programme to launch the competition will be broadcast on BBC One at 4.30pm on November 1.