PUPILS from a Darlington school have been put forward for the finals of the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital national banner contest.

The Gurney Pease Primary School choir achieved the feat with their eye-catching banner, showing the school's motif of the Stephenson Rocket at one end, with the London hospital's emblem opposite. It was sported during a concert at the Telewest Arena, Newcastle, organised by Young World 2000, which is raising money for Great Ormond Street.

The school's choir performed alongside 5,000 schoolchildren from across the North-East.

"It was the highlight of the day when we realised our banner had been put forward for this competition," said teacher Wendy Bunting, 32, who put together the choir's performance.

"I don't know when or where the winner will be announced, but we're one of eight from the North-East who have been put forward, it's been a real team effort by the school.