Colourful designs for six new flags celebrating the countdown to the Olympics, which will be flown at locations across south Norfolk, have been put together by students from Diss.

The eye-catching images, which were created in a workshop yesterday attended by 12 AS art students from Diss High School, depict different aspects of the games such as the Olympic torch and various sports.

Their work will now be transferred onto a nylon fabric by artist Ali MacKenzie, from Norwich-based arts organisation Tin House, ready to be raised for the first time at South Norfolk Council's family fun day on July 17, at its Long Stratton offices.

The flags, measuring about 1.8m by 0.6m, will also be hoisted at other public events in the lead-up to London 2012 and throughout the course of the games.

Laura Woollacott, tourism and events officer at South Norfolk Council, said the workshop challenged the youngsters to come up with designs which represented London 2012 to them. The project makes up part of the council's cultural Olympics celebrations.

'They have come up with some fantastic designs. They have really reacted to the brief and they all are very different. Some have gone for the torch, others have depicted a sense of celebration through fireworks.'

Vasavi Koka, head of the art department at Diss High, said the work will also help the students build up their portfolios and contribute towards their applications to higher education.