ARTISTIC schoolchildren have brought a ray of sunshine to Durham Cathedral.

The Great West Door of the historic building has been adorned with 55 colourful panels, all on a sunflower theme, by youngsters from 14 local primary schools.

The banners were produced to celebrate the sixth annual Sunflower Event staged by St Cuthbert's Hospice, Durham, promoting this month's National Hospice Sunflower Appeal.

The children were given free rein to design anything on a sunflower theme to add to the 25ft display.

Cathedral chapter steward Anne Heywood said: "It forms quite an impressive display, and it is particularly eye-catching looking down from the altar."

The sunflower banners can be viewed at the cathedral until Wednesday.

Meanwhile, St Cuthbert's Hospice, at Merryoaks, is raising funds towards a major appeal to add five residential beds.

Among forthcoming money-spinning events are Tea at Three, at Durham Town Hall, at 3pm, next Friday; a ceilidh supper, from 7.30pm, on June 27; St Cuthbert's Summer Fair, from 1pm to 4.30pm, on June 28; and the annual barbecue, at 12.30pm on June 29, in the grounds of the Park House Road hospice.

Further details and tickets are available from the hospice on 0191-386 1170.