YOUNG artist Jack McAlpine will see his handiwork displayed across the country after his design was chosen as Stockton's logo for the Britain in Bloom competition.

The Hartburn Primary School pupil impressed the council so much with his creation, it will now be incorporated in its entry and all correspondence for the competition's best city category this summer.

The nine-year-old joined other pupils at the school in designing logos for the town, which could be used in the competition.

Jack incorporated a train into his design, to commemorate the fact that Stockton was home to the first passenger railway.

Yesterday, Stockton Mayor Councillor Mick Stoker went to the school to unveil the winning entry and to present the school with a £100 gardening voucher, and Jack with a £20 book token.

The council said Jack's logo related to the town's history and now plans to use it on promotional T-shirts, flags, badges and letterheads.

However, the highight will be when the design is incorporated into a flower-bed in the town's Ropner Park, later this spring.

Headteacher Tom Gittins said: "We are thrilled. It's a big thing for Stockton to be entered into the competition, and to have Jack's painting displayed across the town and country is exciting.

"It's a beautiful logo, very colourful. We are now looking forward to Stockton winning the contest."

Councillor Steve Nelson, Stockton Borough Council's cabinet member for the environment, said: "Congratulations on this winning design, which shows how the green agenda is inspiring our young citizens. It gives me great hope that the future of our environment is in safe hands."

Stockton will be taking on the City of Oxford and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, as well as Tameside and Aberdeen in the best city title.