THE standard of entries was higher than ever in an annual bonfire poster competition.

Great Aycliffe Town Council organises the competition for children every year in the run up to the fireworks display.

This year there were 349 entries, giving Mayor of Great Aycliffe Coun Lyn Leach a difficult task to select the winners.

The winners will receive their prizes at the Oak Leaf Sports Complex, Newton Aycliffe, of Sunday, November 5.

The fireworks display, which is free, starts at 7pm.

Results: Pre-school - 1 Maria O'Hanlon (St Joseph's), 2 Ann Marie Maughan (Agnew), 3 James Hardy (Aycliffe Village). Year four and under - 1 Simon Hocking (Stephenson Way), 2 Stacey Newton (Vane Road), 3 Rhys Gregg (Walworth). Years five and six - 1 Carl Wood (Walworth), 2 Stephanie Chapman (St Francis), 3 Rachael Walker (St Francis), Merit Tony Blades (Walworth). Years seven and eight - 1 Rachel Cook (Greenfield), 2 Sarah Ng (Greenfield), 3 Carolanne Hutchinson (Greenfield).