The Children North East Sandcastle Challenge, now in its 15th year, attracted more than 2,000 youngsters from 46 of the region's primary schools to Sandhaven Beach in South Shields.

Under the theme 'Then and now', pupils built things from the past and their modern day equivalents with the help of architects and professionals from the construction industry.

Deputy Mayor Coun Tom Pigott, who acted as a judge, said: "It's been tremendous.

"The children have enjoyed themselves, which is the main thing. It's a great attraction for South Tyneside."

The event, organised by charity Children North East (CNE), is one of the biggest of its kind in the country.

One of the schools which took part was Harton Infants School, in East Avenue, South Shields, which made a book and a computer to fit in with the past and present theme.

Jessica Brown, seven, said: "It's been a good day, but we were all a bit nervous because we don't know whether we are going to win."

Sadly they didn't, as that honour went to five schools, who each collected £200.

They were St Mary's RC Primary, Stanley; Cotherstone Primary School, Cotherstone, near Barnard Castle; West End First School, Bedlington; Ryhope Infants, Sunderland, and Stocksfield Avenue Primary, Newcastle.

It's expected that at least £15,000 was raised for CNE to help fund its community-based projects.