ORGANISERS of Lumiere Durham have unveiled transport plans to make light work of reaching the many dazzling displays.

Durham County Council highway chiefs say improved park and ride, park and stride and public transport options will give festival-goers the best chance yet to enjoy the installations without worrying about where to park.

Durham City will be transformed over four magical winter evenings - from November 14-17 - with 27 spectacular light installations, including Top La Elephantastic which will come to the UK for the first time.

Having gained a reputation worldwide Lumiere, an Artichoke production, visits Durham City for a third time following its commission by Durham County Council – with more ways to get there than before.

The three existing park and ride sites at Howlands, Sniperley and Belmont will be fully operational, offering a bus service every 10 minutes into the city centre with extra buses provided to meet the expected demand.

In addition, the service will be extended later into the evening with the last bus leaving the city centre at 11.30pm.

Two new temporary park and ride sites will also operate at Merryoaks and New College from the Thursday until the Sunday with the first bus heading into Durham at 3pm and the last bus returning at 11.30pm.

Again, these services will run every 10 minutes. However, due to the number of festival-goers expected to attend the usual bus stops are being amended and the cross town link between Belmont and Sniperley will be suspended from 2pm each day during the event.

All park and ride sites will be operating on the Sunday with opening times ranging from 1.45pm to 3pm, with the exception of Belmont which is offering a full service from 9am.

In total the council will have a fleet of 38 buses running at peak times.

For those on foot, County Hall will provide around 900 spaces – although availability may be limited on the Thursday and Friday in the afternoon.

In addition, and new this year, a further 190 spaces will be available at the Land Registry Offices on the Saturday and Sunday.

For full details visit www.simplygo.com/lumiere or www.traveline.info.