SCHOOLCHILDREN have been praised for their creative thinking after winning a competition challenging them to think about what they could do when the lights go out.

Energy supplier Northern Powergrid tasked pupils from 35 schools at a Durham Safety Carousel event in Newton Aycliffe to write a short piece and draw a picture of fun things to do during a power cut.

Presenter Bob Knox visited the winners in their classrooms to make the surprise announcements.

He said: “We had some fantastic and really imaginative ideas about fun things to do in a power cut. It was clear from the entries that the children had learnt and more importantly retained a great deal from the safety talks.”

The winner was 11-year-old Abigail Lynn from New Seaham Academy in Seaham who came up with an inventive ‘ghost busting’ idea which really impressed judge Mr Knox.

In second place was Woody Moses, of Northwood Primary, Darlington, while Eve Lane, of New Seaham Academy, was third.

For more information visit www.northernpowergrid.com/contact-us/form/school_safety