A TWILIGHT image of Darlington’s Brick Train sculpture has won its young photographer a coveted slot on a calendar that puts the town in the spotlight.

Laurie Nicholson waited for the perfect moment as the sun dropped to take her shot of the prominent feature in Darlington’s landscape.

She said: “I really like sunsets and I just caught the tail end of it that day. I used a 15-second exposure and it turned out better than I expected. The Brick Train makes me think of Darlington, so I was very happy with the picture.”

The 19-year-old was one of a number of second year level 3 Darlington College students on the University of Arts London art and design course who took up a challenge laid down by Darlington Rotary Club.

They were given three weeks to find the perfect photograph of ‘My Darlington’ for a charity calendar in an initiative supported by members of Darlington Building Society.

Chair of Darlington Rotary Club’s youth services committee, Sue Campbell, said: “With Darlington Building Society covering the print costs all the proceeds will go back into the local community to support charitable causes.

“It’s a win-win project because the students have gained the experience of a live professional brief and at the same time benefited from published work that can form part of their portfolios, while Rotary makes invaluable contacts with young people.”

Other students whose images were chosen for the final calendar were Aidan Eames, Lucy Siddique, Nicole Adams, Zoe Thorburn, Holly Tate, Caitlin Smith, and, with two images each, James Peacock, Lewis Hardy and Jordan Ormerod.

Their work included eye-catching images of the River Skerne, South Park, Mechanics’ Institute, Bank Top Station, Broken Scar and the Darlington Hippodrome.

Darlington College tutor, Eric Walsh, said: “Students study photography as part of their course, which also includes graphics and design.

“They were asked to find scenes which portrayed the borough in a positive light and meant something to them.

“They were lucky in being blessed with some great weather and they have captured some lovely images.”

Calendars can be obtained from Darlington College, Darlington Building Society branches or by contacting the Darlington Rotary Club by calling 07973-367004 or through the Rotary Facebook page.