VOLUNTEER groups and businesses are being challenged to use their imagination for a community banner project.

The project has been organised by Shildon Carnival Working Party, which is taking a break from the town's annual gala this year.

Those taking part will be encouraged to create a design that would best promote their community group or business.

Funding has been made available for the project and the carnival committee has arranged for a local artist to spend the weekend at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum, in Shildon, on June 10 and 11, the time that the town carnival usually takes place.

Groups and individuals will be shown how to decorate their banners and will be given a banner-making pack.

Once the banners are complete they will be displayed at Shildon Town Council's annual fun day in August before going on display at Locomotion until the end of September, when they will be returned to the groups.

Christine Wood, manager of the Shildon Centre, which is helping to co-ordinate the project, said: "Groups can make the banner during their normal sessions or at specially convened sessions as they wish. Banners would need to be handed to the Shildon Centre or the town council a few days before the fund day takes place."

For information contact the centre on (01388) 777948.