Illuminated flowers bloom as last Lumiere lights up

I'M standing before a field of giant illuminated flowers. Some look like tulips in full bloom; others towering above my head appear more like strange but beautiful tropical plants and the whole effect, accompanied by atmospheric music, is mesmerising.

- BARBARA HODGSON

This is Elysium Garden, created by Jigantics art company - just one of 29 installations making up this year's Durham Lumiere which, as was revealed last month, is to be the last. When I take in the likes of this extraordinary flower bed, which covers Palace Green near the cathedral, I think 'what a way to go out'.

I also think what an enormous miss it will be. The city's light festival has been bringing a welcome blast of colour to dark autumn nights every other year since 2009.

I've been to every one of them since the start and I love it. Nobody who attended its debut could forget the initial impact it made, with its centrepiece projection show turning the exterior of Durham Cathedral into a changing canvas of images and patterns.

We had never seen anything like it before. And, ever since, Lumiere created by arts producer Artichoke and commissioned by Durham County Council has continued to surprise and delight us, showcasing new illuminations each time, by a mix local, national and international artists, and bringing the city's buildings, streets and riverside to vibrant life after dark.

Some locations - such as the cathedral might remain the same but there's always something different on reveal. I always tend to find my favourite illumination inside the city landmark.