A UNIVERSITY has announced it is to sponsor the country’s biggest light festival.

Durham University has agreed a £100,000 sponsorship of the four-day Lumiere festival, when it returns in November.

The university will also offer support in the form of staff and expertise to stage the event, which is produced by arts charity Artichoke on behalf of Durham County Council.

Durham University has supported Lumiere since it began eight years ago and in 2013, two major installations, Solar Eclipse and I were installed at its Lower Mountjoy site.

Vice chancellor Stuart Corbridge said: “We are proud of the positive contribution Durham University makes to North East England and the UK in a number of ways – economically, socially and culturally.

“Working with Durham County Council as well as Artichoke on Lumiere provides us with the opportunity to do so much more to benefit local communities, as well as attracting extra visitors to Durham, further boosting the region’s economy”.