YOUNGSTERS made sure the spirit of the Commonwealth Games is alive and well in a North-East town by helping to make colourful banners.

The brightly coloured creations made by youngsters and adults in Darlington were unveiled at the town’s Crown Street Library today (Wednesday, July 23) to mark the start of the Commonwealth Games.

Depicted in the artworks are a number of athletes taking part in a range of sports, including badminton, basketball and gymnastics.

They were created at sessions hosted by textile artist, Sarah Oatley, who also runs her business, Drawn Threads, at Lingfield Point, in Darlington.

She said: “It was really lovely to see both old and young come together.

“It has been really nice working in the library. I hope the sessions got people into the library who might not have come in.”

The youngsters also took part in a flag making competition and the winners were presented with medals by the town’s mayor, Councillor Gerald Lee.

Winning the gold medal was Kylie Porter, five, followed by Ellis Hogg, six, with silver, and three-year-old Shirley Kirk won the bronze.