FIVE North-East artists will contribute to the Lumiere light festival when it returns to Durham this autumn, it has been announced.

The quintet are the winners of the Brilliant contest, which challenged local artists to produce new ideas and designs to form part of the four-night spectacular, which runs from November 12 to 15.

They are: Northumbria University and Baltic student artist Louise Mackenzie; Cleveland College of Art and Design graphic designer Robyn Wright, from Darlington; retired teacher Victoria MacLeod from Great Lumley; and Richard Hornby and Alison Lowery from Durham.

Festival organisers Artichoke have released limited details of their proposals.

Ms Mackenzie’s piece draws on her research into the invisible world of micro-algae and promises to “reveal their unearthly beauty”, while Robyn Wright’s work is said to be a playful reinvention of a popular mode of transport.

Ms MacLeod, a Beamish Museum volunteer and member of the Durham branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild, has taken an everyday hobby and turned it into an artwork, while Mr Hornby, who runs an educational consultancy firm, and Ms Lowery, a retired doctor, came up with an idea to explore light and refraction.

The four projects were chosen from 108 entries.

Artichoke producer Kate Harvey said: “Once again we’ve had an amazing response to the call for Brilliant proposals and the panel had to choose from many intriguing creative ideas.

“This year’s winning proposals include playful interpretations as well as a fascinating mix of art and science, appropriately enough given that 2015 is the Unesco International Year of Light.”

More details on the proposals and the wider Lumiere programme will be announced in coming months. For more information, visit lumiere-festival.com