Twelve-year-old Katie Whyatt got a big surprise when a mascot she designed as part of a national competition sprang to life before her eyes.

Kio, the globe-headed man, leapt out from behind a curtain at a specially arranged assembly at Thornton Grammar School.

Katie came up with the design for a competition run by football’s anti-racism campaign Kick It Out. Schoolchildren across the country were asked to come up with a mascot which encapsulated its message.

Katie had already been announced winner of the regional competition and received a signed Bradford City shirt, but she had no idea she had gone on to win the national round.

She said: “I thought if it’s a globe it doesn’t discriminate against anyone because everyone is part of the globe.

“I was really surprised!”