SCHOOL pupils have helped name Durham's latest footbridge.

Durham County Council invited the public to suggest the name of the £500,000 structure that provides a safe crossing for pedestrians over the busy A690 between the railway station and the city centre.

Out of more than 100 entries the name chosen was Highgate Bridge - after the nearby housing development on the former Framwelgate Peth car park.

Ten-year-olds Marc Willey, Liam Stainsby and Emily Watkinson, from Blue Coat Junior School, in Newton Hall, were among the people who suggested the name.

They joined adults Peter Millar, of Pity Me, and Sylvia Joice, of Bournmoor, who also considered Highgate to be the ideal name, in being invited to the official naming ceremony.

The youngsters helped council cabinet member Bob Pendlebury unveil a plaque. There is also a stone bearing the name.

Youngsters at the school entered the competition as they were doing a project on bridges and engineering and the trio thought Highgate was the most logical choice.

Emily said: "It is very exciting that we got to name the bridge and were invited here. I'm so lucky. I'm going to look in future and think I named the bridge.''

Headteacher Gill Gleghorn said: "They thought long and hard about it. Other pupils came up with ideas such as Monk's Way, suggestions with St Cuthbert's and other things to do with Durham.

"It was absolutely thrilling for them to be at the unveiling. They were really excited."

Councillor Pendlebury said: "We got all sorts of suggestions, some of them not quite proper.

"We decided Highgate was the most appropriate name - it is a wonderful development - and it had a lot of support."