A FLORAL light installation will ensure January is anything but blue in two North-East towns.

Greenfield Community College launched Winter in Bloom at its campuses in Newton Aycliffe and Shildon in County Durham this evening (Monday, January 26) to bring light and sparkle at what can be a dark and depressing time.

The installations, on loan from Kew Gardens in Richmond, Surrey, will be displayed at both sites for two weeks and also celebrate the merger of Greenfield and Sunnydale Community Colleges.

Armed with glow-sticks, pupils, parents, staff and residents were on tenterhooks as the countdown for the big switch on neared completion.

And when the lights came on there were gasps of delights and cheers all round.

David Priestley, headteacher, said: “January can be a difficult time of year but not at Greenfield. We have lots of exciting things going on and are looking forward to a bright future in Newton Aycliffe and Shildon.”

Amy Errington, eight, is part of an art group which made decorations to add to the light installation.

She said: “It has been really fun. I love being creative.”