DESIGN students had a ball capturing the magic of the theatre for a very important client.

Darlington’s Mayor Councillor Veronica Copeland spent a morning judging the efforts of students at Darlington College who had been commissioned to come up with the official designs for her annual charity ball.

Level 3 fine art student Megan Earl, 16, took the top honours with her design alongside runners up Bethany Brooklyn, 18, and Lauren McGill, 17.

Cllr Copeland thanked all the Level 2 and 3 art design students for their efforts. She said: “They have worked really hard and come up with some brilliant ideas. It was really difficult to choose a winner and I had a shortlist of seven which I really loved.

“The theme of the ball is the magic of theatre. I love going to the theatre and used to act when I was younger. The borough’s newly refurbished Hippodrome Theatre is a wonderful facility which draws in visitors from miles around so the theme of the ball was another way to promote it further.”

Students were commissioned in October to produce the designs for the Mayor’s Charity Ball posters, entry and cloakroom tickets and menus. They attended the Hippodrome in November for a performance of Dracula and to be briefed by the Mayor on her thoughts.

Megan said she was delighted to win the contest and was looking forward to seeing her designs in print.

“I was influenced by the magic of Swan Lake and tried to imagine a ballerina dancing on stage,” said Megan, who would like to work in digital art or interior design one day.

Darlington College tutor Pippa Eeles said: “All the students rose to the challenge well and produced some excellent designs for this prestigious occasion.

“This is one of our favourite tasks of the year and the students really benefit from working with clients and to a professional brief and deadline. There is no better way to prepare them for the world of work.”

The Mayor’s Ball will take place on April 26 at the Dolphin Centre. Tickets are £55 and available from the site or by calling 01325-406971 or emailing susan.minto@darlington.gov.uk

Proceeds go to Cllr Copeland’s chosen charities of Darlington Association on Disability, the 700 Club and the Royal British Legion.