A motivational message to runners in this Sunday's Great North Run has appeared on a South Shields beach.
Artists Claire Eason and James Dixon came up with the 100ft tall design to celebrate the half marathon which takes place on Sunday (September 8).
The pair spent more than six hours drawing the design on Sandhaven Beach in South Shields, just a few miles from the finishing line.
Above a picture of the famous Tyne Bridge, the artists wrote a Geordie quote to inspire the runners.
It reads: "Gan canny, be proud man, diven't give up!
“Just keep gannin, good luck to all taking part.
“Howay the lads and lasses! You got this.”
As well as the good luck message, it shows runners crossing the Tyne Bridge, with the Red Arrows flying overhead.
Retired GP Claire, who lives in Sunderland, has created several artworks on beaches up and down the North East in recent years.
Her famous creations include designs to celebrate the King's Coronation and the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
She said: "Trying to get on the beach before people and dogs was the aim for this project.
“From setting up to finishing was just under six hours but we managed it and the weather was kind to us.
"It just had to be big to be a little bit more forgiving, considering it's a busy beach and there are dogs and people.
Recommended reading:
- North East schools welcome end of one-word Ofsted ratings after headteacher's suicide
- Vapes used to lure children into county lines drug dealing, police say
- Paranoid schizophrenic grabbed Taser off police officer in Darlington confrontation
Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access for 3 months for just £3, or get 30% off an annual subscription with our latest offer. Click here.
“Making it bigger allows things like footprints and scuffs to be slightly less visible.
"But it was a killer this one - I've never done the Great North Run, but it feels as if I have now.
“I have a lot of admiration for the people who do it."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here