ART students have been playing a major role in their town's display for this year's Chelsea Flower Show.

Darlington Borough Council is exhibiting at the event, and students at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College have been helping.

This year's theme for the town's display is South Park Past and Present, including a play area with children.

Two BTEC art foundation students from the Vane Terrace college, Helen Flack and Amy Porteus, sculpted figures of children from wire and flax, which were given a trial outing in the park yesterday.

The council has signed a new sponsorship deal for the entry, with Whessoe International Skanska, a Darlington specialist cryogenic engineering company.

More than 2,000 plants will make up the display, which is centred around the park's clock tower. The oblong design is split in two by a slate path, with "past" on one side and "present" on the other.

Darlington's mayor, Councillor Dot Long, said: "I am pleased to welcome Whessoe International Skanska on board to this year's Chelsea Flower Show and look forward to working with them on what is a national showcase for the whole town.

"We have won a silver medal for the last two years, hopefully this year we will make gold."

Jim Kirkwood, the sponsors' managing director, said: "We are delighted to be given the opportunity to sponsor the exhibition and to work in partnership with the council on what should prove to be a worthwhile and exciting project for us both."

The show runs from May 22 to 25 and tickets can be bought on (0870) 9063781.