ONE of the most deadly battles of the First World War has inspired artists featuring in a festival which has been launched today.

Two art exhibitions featuring work inspired by the Battle of the Somme are now open as part of Febfest, Bishop Auckland’s annual three-week arts festival.

School children from the town have taken part in the festival, which this year has also featured professional artists for the first time.

Sixteen schools, from nurseries right up to Bishop Auckland College, have taken part to produce work inspired by the theme, which was chosen to mark the centenary of the battle.

Their work is being displayed in the McGuinness Gallery in Bishop Auckland Town Hall.

Meanwhile a new gallery space has opened in POD, in the Market Place, to display the work created by professional artists.

Artistic director Jane Crawford, from Daisy Arts, said: “We’re building every year on the number of schools that participate and this year we’ve joined up with professional artists for the first time. Having them chat together about their work has been brilliant.

“The responses have been incredible. The work created by the schools always surpasses expectations and it’s a superb exhibition.”

Febfest started as a small community event in 2005 and has since expanded to include the whole town.

As well as the exhibitions there will be three weeks of concerts, theatre performances and workshops at venues around the town.

The exhibition at POD will be open every day apart from Sundays from 10am to 5pm until March 26, while the school’s exhibition will be open for three weeks.