VOLUNTEERS have been planting thousands of illuminated flowers ahead of an international light festival.

The flowers are part of one the displays at this year’s Lumiere festival and have been placed in the cloisters at Durham Cathedral.

The display has been created by Canadian artist Rami Bebawi and art collective Kanva and was installed with help from volunteers from Chester-le-Street.

The Entre Les Rangs installation, which has been supported by Chester-le-Street Action Partnership, is inspired by fields of wheat, shimmering in the wind as the seasons pass.

Durham County Council leader Cllr Simon Henig, who joined festival makers and college students to help install the display, said: “It wouldn’t be Lumiere without the support of the many hundreds of people from communities across the county who get involved and literally help create the installations that will delight us all.

“I cannot think of anywhere more suitably enlightening than the heart of the cathedral to host such a stunning and fascinating piece of art.”

The four day festival starts on Thursday, November 16.

Lumiere is produced by Artichoke and commissioned by Durham County Council.

It is supported by Arts Council England, Durham University, and a host of other sponsors.