DARLINGTON College students had two days to come up with the designs for the mayor's ball posters backdrop, menus, invitations and publicity material.

When Darlington Mayor, Councillor Eleanor Lister, heard that first-year art and design BTec students had been on a field trip to Scarborough she decided that the ball's theme should be the "seaside"- because she was born and brought up in Filey.

They were asked to design all the publicity material, which was judged by Councillor Lister and graphic designer Paul Rea, from Red Square Design, in Newcastle.

Darlington College tutor Donna Slyfield said: "This was a really challenging project because of the tight deadline. It's the first time the students have been asked to do all the material for the mayor's ball."

The 29 pieces of work entered were narrowed down to three and the winner was John Stainthorp, 17, from Darlington, who was inspired by seaside paraphernalia he saw in a window.

He said: "I was surprised to win as it was such a rush job."

The runners-up were Lauren Dixon and Henry Jenkins, both 17, from Richmond.

The mayor's ball takes place on October 21 and is being sponsored by Blackett, Hart and Pratt solicitors and Ferguson McIlveen.