STUDENTS at a North-East school have been invited to a ceremony in London to collect an arts award.

Young people at Greenfield School Community and Arts College, in Newton Aycliffe, near Darlington, are among seven winners of a Roots and Wings award for their innovative work with the arts.

The school will receive the prize at a party on June 15, that will be co-hosted by television presenter Loyd Grossman and MP Diane Abbot.

Their prize-winning project was inspired by prehistoric rock markings, which the teenagers visited in the Northumbrian hills. They then explored the different meanings of modern signs and symbols in Newton Aycliffe town centre and created cast glass sculptures, which were exhibited at the Newcastle Museum of Antiquities.

Mr Grossman said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the excellent work that is going on around the country engaging children in hands-on learning activities."

The awards were launched by Curiosity and Imagination, the national network for children's hands-on learning, and are funded by the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust and the Esme Fairbairn Foundation.

The awards scheme aims to encourage youngsters to become more aware of their heritage, local surroundings and explore the arts.

Published: 31/05/2005