A BUDDING bard has had his work immortalised in a sculpture at park's popular wishing stone.

Thomas Rowland, 11, of Consett Junior School, Consett, received the lasting accolade after winning a competition for the best rhyme, to go alongside the wishing stone in Blackhill and Consett Park.

The park, owned by Derwentside District Council, was restored in a £1.4m scheme in 2002.

Heritage Park development officer Maria McArdle said: "Blackhill and Consett Park was opened on July 11, 1891, and was a gift to the community from the owners of the Consett Iron Co.

"The wishing stone is an original feature.

"The story goes that after visiting church on Sunday the local people would walk through the park, stop at the stone and place money or a sweet under the stone.

"They would then dance around the stone three times whilst making a wish. We decided to add a feature to the wishing stone, and so organised a competition among the community's schools to find the best rhyme to compliment the stone."

Thomas said: "I'm really pleased. It is quite something to see it in a sculpture."

David Jackson, Thomas's class teacher at the time of the competition, said: "This is a tremendous achievement.

"He will one day be able to take his family to see it and his grandchildren and ancestors will be able to visit it as well."

Thomas's winning rhyme reads: "We're dancing aroundthewishing stone; I hope my wish comes true; We're dancing around the wishing well; I'll come and wish with you."