PUPILS from a Darlington primary school are taking part in a competition to design bus shelters for the borough's latest housing development.

Children from Alderman Leach Primary School are taking part in the competition as part of National Construction Week.

The aim is to increase the children's awareness of the positive impact good design has on the environment.

It also gives them a chance to show off their creative skills and inspire the professionals who will be building the shelters at West Park site.

The real designers and the children have been asked to come up with contemporary designs.

Art students at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College are also taking part in the competition, run by Northern Architecture and Bussey and Armstrong, which built West Park.

Rita Smith, director of creative arts at the college, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for our students to be involved in a live project.

"The feedback and advice they will receive from practising professionals will be invaluable at this stage in their creative development."

The designs will be judged by Tony Cooper, of Bussey and Armstrong Projects, urban design officer at Darlington Borough Council Tim Crawshaw, and Wendy Scott, the visual and public arts officer for Darlington.

Prizes will be given for the best bus shelter designs.