ARTISTS and sculptors are being sought to create a piece of artwork inspired by part of the North-East countryside.

Creative competitors, who live within 20-miles of the Morritt Hotel, in Greta Bridge, County Durham, are invited to vie for a £1,500 commission to celebrate the owners’ 20th anniversary at the establishment.

Entitled “The Spirit of Teesdale”, the winning artwork will be displayed either inside the hotel or its grounds.

Barbara-Anne Johnson, who owns The Morritt with her husband Peter Philips, said: ”We wanted to do something special to celebrate being at the hotel since 1994 and thought a permanent artwork would be perfect.

“The Morritt has come a long way in the past 20 years and we have worked very hard.

“We’re a family-run hotel set in beautiful Teesdale countryside so we want something that encapsulates what this area is all about and celebrates local people and artists.

“It’s an exciting brief that artists can interpret as they see fit and really let their imagination run wild.

“The new artwork will be a great feature displayed at the hotel for many years to come.”

The competition is open to professionals and amateurs and can be any permanent format or material.

Entrants should submit a written proposal of the artwork, with preliminary sketches if available, and images of previous work.

To enter, email relax@themorritt.co.uk, including names, addresses and contact details.

The closing date for entries is Thursday, May 8.

The winning commission will be selected by Monday, May 26 and the completed piece should be delivered by Tuesday, July 1.