CULTURE chiefs who want to project huge portraits of 100 North-East people onto the historic buildings in a city’s market place have revealed more about their ideas.

Lighting architects and art producers visited Durham to plan how Heart of the City – A Place for the People, which was announced last week, will work.

The event will see portraits of about 100 people judged to reflect the character of Durham City projected as part of the Lumiere festival, due to take place between November 12 and 15.

A specially-commissioned soundtrack will also be played.

Following a visit to Durham, Helen Marriage, director of festival organisers Artichoke, said: “The idea is to represent the city in an attractive way through the medium of light.

“It will be a totally immersive experience and people will get to see their friends and family being part of this.”

Buildings involved could include St Nicholas’ Church and Durham Town Hall.

Anyone wanting to take part is asked to call 0207-650- 7611 or email holly.race@ artichoke.uk.com It is hoped Lumiere will boost Durham’s bid to be in 2013.

The bid has also received international support, after politicians and officials from County Durham’s partner area of Kreis Wesel, in Germany, gave it their backing.

A delegation from the area signed up after hearing about the bid at Durham Town Hall.

Kreisdirektor Ralf Berensmeier said: “After hearing a presentation by the bid team we were more than happy to offer our support and sign up.”

Kreis Wesel has been partnered with County Durham since 1953.

The delegation was in the region to visit Durham County Council-run community safety and skills projects. They visited Durham, Barnard Castle, Easington and Newton Aycliffe.

Back Durham’s bid to be UK City of Culture for 2013 at durhamcityofculture.co.uk