A COLLEGE restaurant is getting a new image thanks to the efforts of graphics students.

The Bistro at Darlington College of Technology has undergone a month-long, £36,000 refit.

The restaurant, which is open to the public and is used as a training ground for training catering students, has a new servery, tables, chairs and refrigerator.

Students and staff decided that the restaurant deserved a new look and set about redesigning the branding for the Bistro, including menus and placemats.

Nineteen students on the National Diploma in Graphic Design course and the Advanced Certificate of Vocational Education in Art and Design programme spent six weeks devising the new logos. Staff and Bistro customers are being asked to choose a winner - and the successful student will get a gourmet meal.

Pippa Eeles, senior tutor in graphic design, said: "I have been a customer in the restaurant for several years, as have the students, and the food is fantastic. After the refit we had the idea to use it as an opportunity to do some rebranding. It was a live assignment and more realistic for them."