SCHOOL pupils have been helping shine a spotlight on Durham’s blooming potential with a floral carpet bed.

Children from the city’s Gilesgate Primary School joined Durham County Council’s Clean and Green and Civic Pride teams to plant flowers as part of Durham’s bid for successive golds in the regional RHS Northumbria in Bloom competition.

The carpet bed, planted on the embankment opposite Gilesgate roundabout, celebrates the county’s This is Durham Place of Light brand, developed by Visit County Durham.

County council head of direct services, Oliver Sherratt said: “Each summer our environmental teams, with help from local school children, install the feature carpet bed at Gilesgate.

“This year we designed a concept to represent the county’s Place of Light brand, which puts us firmly on the map as a shining place in which to live, work, invest, study or visit.”

The design details the sun shining through a stained glass window. Ian Thompson, corporate director of regeneration and local services, said: “The carpet bed design helps us to celebrate our beautiful city, county and heritage.”