DRAMATIC new welcome signs and waymarkers have been unveiled at two popular North-East beaches.

Featuring designs from local artist Jac Howard, the signs have been placed at Seaham Hall beach car park in Seaham and at the entrance to Crimdon Beach, Blackhall - the points where most visitors to the Durham Heritage Coast arrive.

Constructed in wood and polished cast concrete the structures feature artwork in low relief, while orientation panels provide useful local information and also show how the Durham Heritage Coast sits within an extensive coastal footpath and cycleway network.

Durham Heritage Coast offcer Niall Benson, said: "We're extremely pleased with the new signs and waymarkers which look fabulous and will provide a focus for the thousands of people who visit this coastline every year.

"Some time ago we identified a need to mark what are roughly the north and south boundaries of the Durham Heritage Coast to welcome and inform visitors and they are positioned where most people will benefit from them."

A teacher at Houghton Kepier School, Ms Howard was raised in Seaham and moved back five years ago.

She said: "I'm very proud to see my artwork featured in such a dramatic and positive way on this coastline.

"I have a passion for both art and this area and I took inspiration for the designs from the coastline itself.

"I wanted it to show the local natural environment though native shells and seaweed but also local items of interest like the distinctive coble fishing boats used here.

"I also integrated local place names which will hopefully inspire visitors to explore this wonderful area further." Over 300,000 visits were made to the Durham Heritage Coast last year, with coastal car park usage trebling over the past three years.

Earlier this month. it achieved European recognition and was one of only three entrants honoured with a formal "Special Mention" for its work in the prestigious Landscape Award of the Council of Europe competition