DARLINGTON school children have worked hard with a local authority to brighten up Darlington town centre ready for Easter.

Darlington Borough Council's town centre and partnerships team invited local schools to decorate giant Easter eggs that are set to be on display around the town centre during the Easter holidays.

The challenge was taken up by 30 schools such as Harrowgate Hill, Beaumont Hill and Borough Road Nursery and other locations such as the Dolphin Centre, Vision Express, Costa Coffee and Locomotion Learning.

A wide range of designs have been submitted from children of nursery age to children up to 11 years old.

Alex Nicholson, Darlington Borough Council's town centre partnership and event manager, said: "We’ve been overwhelmed by the quality of the designs and the enthusiasm from schools who have got involved despite the incredible pressures faced over the past year.

“Our local businesses are really excited and can’t wait to display them in their shop windows. In normal times we would do an Easter egg trail throughout the town with prizes. For now, we are doing what we can to brighten up the town for visitors and businesses alike.

“We’re working on some exciting projects as the town centre starts to open and look forward to involving the local community in even more town centre plans and activities.”

The Easter egg artworks will be on display until April 18.