A CONCRETE 1960s pavilion has been lit up with a giant inflatable to mark its 50th anniversary.

The installation by environmental artist Steve Messam can be viewed at the Apollo Pavilion in Peterlee until Sunday.

The 1960s pavilion, unveiled in 1969 and named in honour of that year's Apollo moon landings, is marking its 50th anniversary this year.

The bright orange illuminated inflatables have been put up around the brutalist style pavilion, which links the two halves of Peterlee's Sunny Blunts estate.

Mr Messam, who was also behind Hush, an art installation in Upper Teesdale over the the summer, said: "I wanted to do something that got people to look at the original art work in a new way and bring out those details and make it a different kind of experience so people can look at it freshly and maybe in a way they haven't looked at it before."

Durham County Council has been organising a series of events around the pavilion to mark the anniversary, which it is tying in with its year of culture.

Council leader councillor Simon Henig said: "I think we have now had a number of years of investing in events, art and culture across County Durham and we have seen the benefits in terms of the number of visitors and the boost to the economy and in terms of the sense of pride as well

All of these reasons are positives for investing in arts and culture."

He added: "We hope people will come out to have a look."

The installation, which was funded by Arts Council England, opened last night and is available for the public to view until Sunday. It is open between 10am and 9pm each day.

Mr Messam with also be working alongside artist Sara Cooper on an art project with pupils from The Academy, in Shotton Hall, and Dene Community School, Peterlee.