THE winning entries that will be included in a book celebrating a Darlington street have been announced.

Shop owner Beryl Hankin asked people to contribute original poetry, prose, paintings and photographs to commemorate and remember a street held in great affection by town residents.

The book is called The Spirit of High Row and judges for the competition included local author Allene Norris and Richard Hindle, who owns Darlington art gallery Gallerina.

They chose five first prize winners: Martin Conway for High Row Christmas Eve 1972; David Thompson, Spirits in the Stones; Joan Wright, Memories of High Row; Ian C Rutland, On High Row; and Scott Rollo, I took my Girl to Darlington.

Second prize winners were: T Hughes for The Lucinlux; Joanne Roys (nee Thomas), Memories of Magic; Bill Lawson, High Row Heydays; Maureen Snowball, The High Row; and Elaine Freeman, Happiness and Heartaches.

Four winners were also selected for special contributions by Tony Smith, of Guru Boutique.

They were: Marion Watson for The Other Side of the Window; Sylvia Gargett, Memories of Darlington High Row; Mary Burnside, Tales of High Row; and Sue Cummins for an untitled anecdote.

All won cash prizes of an undisclosed amount.

Ms Hankin, who owns Guru Boutique, said: "The problem was everything was too good.

"We have got a lot of very good entrants. It was difficult picking the winners and we have actually picked more winners than we intended.

"People wanted to enter to get into the book because they love the town."

Mrs Norris, one of the judges, said: "What a difficult task. There were some marvellously written pieces from people of all ages and from all walks of life.

"The entire competition has proved to me what an affection people have for Darlington and its High Row - the latter truly the heart of the town. I wish the book much success, for it deserves it."

Printers will prepare proofs of the book this week.

Ms Hankin hoped the book would be available in the autumn.