STRIKING scenes from two of South Durham's villages could take pride of place at Buckingham Palace.

Residents from Hamsterley and South Bedburn have sent six small watercolours and a greeting showing beauty spots from the villages to the palace as a gift to mark the Queen's golden jubilee.

The special correspondence officer for the Queen has replied to thank the artists for the souvenirs.

The watercolours were created by Hamsterley artist Marney Swan and the greeting was written by fellow villager Heather Carol.

The project was part of the golden jubilee celebrations in the two villages, and was the idea of the Hamsterley and South Bedburn golden jubilee committee.

In a letter from Buckingham Palace, special correspondence officer Debra Bean wrote: "Her Majesty is pleased to accept this framed message as a golden jubilee gift and much appreciates both the thoughtfulness of the parishioners in arranging for it to be created for her and the skill in its creation."

Marney Swan said: "It was an honour to be asked to do something for the golden jubilee and I was delighted to be able to do it.

"I have lived in the village for 26 years and it was rather special to be able to represent it in this way.''