PUPILS from schools in Newton Aycliffe used their imagination to design cars of the future in a poster contest.

The competition was organised by the Aycliffe Learning Town Partnership and hosted by Greenfield Community and Arts College.

Stephen Wiper, arts development officer for Sedgefield Borough Council, judged the entries in two sections, under-eights and under-16s.

The children who made the most creative and innovative designs were awarded Easter eggs, presented by Syd Howarth, of Newton Aycliffe Rotary Club.

Jo-Anne Mason, community arts co-ordinator at the Greenfield college, was impressed by the futuristic vehicles.

She said: "The imagination that was shown by the kids who took part was unbelievable. The detail and the creativity of the ideas which went into these futuristic cars was out of this world."

Winners were: Under-16s - 1 Nicola Bulmer, Greenfield School; 2 Faith Richmond, St Joseph's; 3 Fraser Hilton, Greenfield. Under eights - 1 Brian Cox, St Joseph's; 2 Mitchell Miller, Stephenson Way; 3 Thomas Dawson, Stephenson Way.