YOUNG people have teamed up with elderly residents to create eye-catching sunflowers that will form part of a war memorial art installation opening later this year.

The group came together to create the social action project which transformed recycled plastic bottles into sunflower displays that will be used in a commemorative project that remembers Stockton's fallen soldiers from the First World War.

The installation will be open to the public at Trinity Green in Stockton town centre on Remembrance Sunday.

Councillor Norma Wilburn, Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet member for arts, leisure and culture, said: “This is all about young people getting involved with a social action project that gives them the opportunity to contribute to their community.

“It is really great to see how much both they and some of our older residents have taken from the experience.

"I know their work will be an invaluable part of Point Me To The Skies on November 11 this year, keep your eyes peeled for more on that as we get closer to marking the centenary of the end of the Great War.

“This work is also a fantastic example of the type of activities our young people can get involved in through our Bright Minds Big Futures campaign.

"We are committed to ensuring that young people are at the heart of the future of the Borough and there’s a range of opportunities on offer.”

The youngsters also researched the history of George Hunter, a Stockton man who was shot for desertion during the First World War, only to be pardoned 90 years later.

He is also featured in The Danger Tree exhibition running in Welling Square until September 29, in a special piece entitled ‘1246’.