Students have designs on the future after completing their first professional commission for a client.

First year BTEC National Diploma students in design at Darlington College of Technology were asked to come up with ideas to decorate a house with a Moroccan and Aztec theme.

The client, Shahardet Ali, chose three ideas drawn up by Chris Prince, 16, of Darlington, Laura Johnson, 17, of Middleton-in-Teesdale, and Stephanie Walker, 16, of Brompton-on-Swale, North Yorkshire.

Mr Ali plans to use Laura's ideas to redesign the second reception room in his Darlington home.

She said: "I did a lot of research on the Internet and looked at books and magazines to get a feel for the Moroccan style."

Mr Ali, said: "I'm a designer myself but I thought it would be a useful exercise for the students and it would also give me a fresh perspective."

Tutor Jenny Frost said: "Having live projects to work on for real clients is fantastic experience for the students."