A GRAPHIC designer from Wallasey has had her design hand-picked to become the official logo for Liverpool City Region's Borough of Culture.

Leigh D'Arcy, 26, entered the competition individually and her winning design which can incorporate a map of the winning borough means she will receive £800 and her logo will be developed into the official brand.

The competition was launched last year and was open to anyone over the age of 18 living in the city region.

Leigh told the Globe: "It was lovely to get the call to say that my design has been chosen to be developed into the fully developed brand for the Borough of Culture award.

"I can’t wait to see it splashed across Wirral for the next year and to see how it will be used by each borough throughout their host year.”

The Borough of Culture title is annually awarded on a rotational basis to one of the six local authorities that make up the city region, as part of the Combined Authority's 1% for Culture programme.

This year, Wirral holds the title with the first major event in March being an Animated Square.

Wirral Globe:

Borough of Culture logo by Leigh D'Arcy

Leader of Wirral Council and Combined Authority portfolio holder for inclusive growth, economic development, digital and innovation Phil Davies said: “We are thrilled to be Borough of Culture for 2019.

"Wirral is a fantastic place; we have a vibrant creative community and so much to offer every visitor.

"I know our incredible programme of events will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to come and see for themselves.

"I am also delighted the winner of the logo competition is based here, which is a fantastic start to what will be an unprecedented year of cultural and sporting events for our borough.”

Many exciting events and projects have already been unveiled for Wirral this year with more big announcements still to come.

Residents can expect to see major events in unexpected locations around the borough, based on the themes of discovery, exploration and the great outdoors.

Metro mayor Steve Rotheram added: "We created the Borough of Culture award last year with St Helens being the first local authority to hold the title.

"The aim is to encourage cultural activities across the whole city region and I’m looking forward to seeing the events that Wirral has on offer over the next year.

"As the first Combined Authority to have powers over culture in our devolution deal, I believe the percentage of funding set aside for culture can have a massive impact across the Liverpool City Region as a whole.”