Dominic Bareham EXCITED schoolchildren saw how their artwork had been woven into the fabric of Great Yarmouth during a visit to the resort's seafront.The 20-strong group of pupils from first and middle schools in the borough had won a Yarmouth Tourist Authority competition to design banners that reflected how they felt about the town.

Dominic Bareham

EXCITED schoolchildren saw how their artwork had been woven into the fabric of Great Yarmouth during a visit to the resort's seafront.

The 20-strong group of pupils from first and middle schools in the borough had won a Yarmouth Tourist Authority competition to design banners that reflected how they felt about the town. Their creations were then turned into street lamp banners, which form part of the seafront summer illuminations along Marine Parade, in the heart of the tourist district.

But rather than waiting until after the lights had been switched on, the tourist authority gave the children first viewing by taking them on an open-top bus trip along the seafront on Tuesday evening.

Karen Youngs, the authority's project manager, explained how new illuminations had been needed along Marine Parade and businesses were approached for sponsorship. However, when one of the sponsors suggested enlisting the help of schoolchildren to design banners, authority jumped at the idea - and so did hundreds of youngsters!

In all, children designed 500 banners - giving the organisers the headache of selecting just 20 entries for the street lamps.

The winners, aged between six and 11, received a certificate and goody bag as rewards for their efforts.

Karen said: “In 20 years time, when they are up on the seafront or walking their own children, we wanted them to be able to say 'I did that.' The banners will be in place forever.”

Breydon Middle School pupil Regan Devine, eight, was one of the winners with his banner showing sandcastles and seagulls.

He said: “I drew the artwork because normally the sun is out and lots of seagulls are flying around the seafront. I am very happy to have won.”

Ormesby Village Junior pupil Lucy Crane, 11, drew a ferris wheel. She said: “I came up with the idea while I was daydreaming in class. I am happy to have won.”

The winners were: Jade Reeve of Cliff Park Middle; Shannon Clarke of Edward Worlledge Middle; Sonny Maston of Homefield First; Daisy Robinson of Ormesby Village Junior; Reanna Leverett of Herman First; Katie Noble of Caister Middle; Regan Devine of Breydon Middle; Deividas Buteiks of Alderman Swindell First; Bethany Bird of North Denes Middle; Shona Vernall of Homefield First; Pagan Stamp of Edward Worlledge Middle; Thalia Sheriff of Rollesby Primary; Dulcie Canham of Filby Primary; Sophie Saxton of North Denes Middle; Roxanne Spychalski of Breydon Middle; Jack Hunt of St Nicholas Priory Middle; Lucy Crane of Ormesby Village Junior; Shannon Alsop of St Nicholas Priory Middle; Saskia Mayer-Henderson of Caister Middle and Kathryn Rose-Canham of Ormesby Village Junior.

The sponsors of illuminations are: Coles Amusements (Joyland), Seadell Shops Hemsby, Merrivale Model Village, NACAP, Cherry Tree Holiday Park (Parkdean Holidays), Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens, Yarmouth Stadium, May Gurney, Pleasure Beach, The Edge, Pub on the Prom, Potters Leisure Resort, Longbar, Vauxhall Holiday Park, Screenprint Plus, Yesterdays World.