AROUND 170 volunteers who made the Lumiere light festival run smoothly are to be honoured for their efforts.

An event will be held in the Town Hall, in Durham on Wednesday evening to offer a formal thank-you to the Festival Makers, who helped the record 200,000 visitors to the city to enjoy Lumiere.

The army of Festival Makers were there to provide a welcoming face and share their knowledge of the Durham to help visitors safely find their way around the 29 installations spread across the city during the four-day festival.

They included a colossal whale in the Wear, a ghostly fog below the cathedral and a projection of myth and fable onto the walls of Durham Castle.

Durham County Council chairman Councillor Jan Blakey will join representatives from festival producers Artichoke and volunteer sponsors Northumbrian Water at the event.

Cllr Blakey, said: “Lumiere is spectacular but it was all the better for the wonderful work of the volunteer Festival Makers, who maintained their enthusiasm despite some pretty inclement weather.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank them publically and I look forward to meeting them all in person at our special event.

Louise Hunter, director of corporate affairs at Northumbrian Water, said: “The Lumiere festival has gone from strength to strength and with the help of the Festival Makers, 2015 has been a record-breaking, best ever.

“We’re proud to have played a part by supporting the Festival Makers, who braved the elements to help with the smooth running of the event.”