THE work of artistic youngsters will help make Christmas in Durham more colourful.

For the second year, the Durham City Forum has run a competition for primary school pupils to produce designs for the city's festive light display.

Almost 400 entries from ten schools were received and the city's Mayor, Mary Hawgood, had a hard job choosing winners in the three age groups.

The designs will be made into 6ft square lights that will be hung outside Durham Town Hall.

Alicia McGraw, six, of Finchale Primary School, Newton Hall, will see her reindeer up in lights. Alex Summerson, nine, from the same school, will have her Christmas tree design displayed, and Daniel Robson, eight, of Pittington Primary School, will be able to look at his candle design.

The winners will be invited to switch on the lights with Coronation Street actor and former Boyzone singer Keith Duffy next Sunday and attend a VIP reception. They will also be the first children to visit Santa's grotto in the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre and will receive a gift.