Durham Heritage Coast signs welcome visitors
New signs designed to assist visitors and welcome them to Durham's Heritage Coast have been installed in Seaham and Hartlepool.
The two signs, at Seaham Hall Beach car park and Crimdon Beach, were funded by Durham County Council.
Featuring coastal designs by artist Jac Howard, the signs were made from wood and concrete.
Ms Howard, who was raised in Seaham, said it was "wonderful" to see her artwork in her hometown.
"I'm very proud to see my artwork featured in such a dramatic and positive way on this coastline.
"It was a real challenge to create something which would work well within the format of the welcome sign designs and it's wonderful to see it all become a reality."
The signs and waymarkers, installed as part of the council's wider £600,000 Tourism Skills Place Improvement and Signage programme, have been placed where most visitors to the area arrive.
Niall Benson, Durham Heritage Coast officer, said: "We're extremely pleased with the new signs and waymarkers which look fabulous and will provide a focus for the thousands of people who visit this coastline every year."
In 2010 more than 300,000 people visited the Durham Heritage Coast, which runs from Sunderland to Hartlepool, with coastal car park usage trebling over the past three years.