THE search is on for bright sparks to come up with brilliant ideas for a spectacular light festival which is returning to the region for the fifth time.

Arts charity Artichoke is looking for 2017’s Brilliant artists, as part of a scheme inviting local people with exciting original ideas to submit them for this year’s Lumiere festival, in Durham, from November 16 to 19.

The Brilliant competition is open to anyone originally from, or currently living in the North-East, who has a potentially winning idea to create a new artwork made with light for Lumiere.

Anyone over 18 can apply and no artistic experience is necessary, but light should be at the heart of all the ideas submitted.

The winning applications will receive funding and practical support from Lumiere producers Artichoke, with closing date at midday on Monday March 6.

Artichoke lead producer Kate Harvey said: “This is a chance for local people to shine and for us to celebrate creativity and discover local talent in the North-East as part of the internationally-recognised Lumiere festival.

“It’s been wonderful to discover new talent in the region and each time the number of submissions has grown as people have got to know about the opportunity.

"It’s often the smallest ideas that make the greatest impact, so don’t be shy. I can’t wait to see what people propose. “

Durham County Council leader Cllr Simon Henig, said: “Making sure that our region and communities are at the heart of the UK’s largest light festival is really important to us, and one of the many reasons we commission this world class festival.

“As we celebrate Durham as a Place of Light I cannot think of a more perfect way for the public to help us illuminate all that is great about where we live and work.”

In 2015, more than 100 people applied and four winning ideas were chosen to be part of the festival programme.

Past winning ideas have included giant neon piece of knitting complete with needles, made by Victoria MacLeod, a retired teacher from Sunderland who turned her hobby of knitting into the eye catching Big Knitting and Sunderland student Robyn Wright’s Neon Bikes.

Several Brilliant winners have seen their lives transformed, including Durham-based builder Mick Stephenson who put down his tools to become a full-time artist, exhibiting his work across the region and in London. Lumiere is produced by Artichoke and commissioned by Durham County Council, with additional support from Arts Council England and a raft of other partners and supporters.

Full details about how to apply can be found on www.lumiere-festival.com. For further information contact brilliant@artichoke.uk.com.