A MOTHER'S Day picture competition proved a big hit with youngsters in the Durham area.

Pupils were invited by the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre to draw pictures of their mother for its annual Put Mum in the Picture competition that marks Mother's Day.

The pictues were displayed in shop windows and a spokesman said the 1,000 entries, judged by Durham Mayor John Lightley, were of an excellent standard.

The winner was Rose Cowperthwaite, eight, of Cestria Primary School, Chester- le-Street, who wins clothes, clothes for her mother and a digital camera for her school.

The runners-up were Maurice Urresta, nine, from St Hild's School, Durham, and Annabel Johnson, also nine, from St Godric's School, Durham.