A POPULAR Bishop Auckland arts festival has been launched with the winners of a Magna Carta-themed competition.

Pupils from Cockton Hill Junior School beat off tough competition to claim first prize with their individual clay tablets inspired by the gathering of barons at the signing of the Magna Carta 800 years ago.

The winners were announced at the launch of Febfest in the McGuinness Gallery in Bishop Auckland Town Hall today (Monday, February 9).

Fourteen schools and community groups took part and Sue Snowdon, the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, was tasked with picking the best one.

“Jane Crawford (festival director) has given me the hardest job to pick a winner,” she said. “It is nearly impossible. All the work is tremendous.

“Over a long period of time I have watched this festival grow. I couldn’t believe it could get any better than last year but it has.

“It is amazing the way this has been interpreted. It is a chance to look at a very important part of history.

Miss Crawford, festival director from Daisy Arts, said: “Every year there is a theme and the Magna Carta is hard. I thought they would struggle with it but it doesn’t seem to have been a struggle at all.”