PRIMARY schoolchildren have started work on a piece of public art which they hope will be named the best bird box in Britain.

Pupils from Wearhead Primary School, in County Durham, visited Durham City's peninsula to research the proposed site of their creation.

The children will work alongside architect Angus Morrogh-Ryan on the project, which is expected to take shape by February on the banks of the Wear.

Over the next few months, pupils will work in the classroom and on the riverbank, designing the bird box.

During the project, they will learn about architecture, nature and team-building.

Among the tasks they will have to complete are photographing the site, collecting samples for a bird collage depicting the species that make their home on the banks of the Wear and attending workshops with the Durham bird box team.

Liz Gill, arts co-ordinator and assistant head at Wearhead Primary School, said: "The Durham bird box project will provide a greater understanding about the role an architect plays in society.

"In the current syllabus, we teach the children about the true values of good design and planning, and to think about the environment in which designs are placed."

Mr Morrogh-Ryan said: "Young people have an uncanny ability to show us things that we may have previously not seen or recognised.

"Their observations and enthusiasm at this early stage of a project is critical in preventing the public debate being polarised and allows for genuine creativity."

The project is being put together by Durham City Arts, working with Creative Partnerships Durham Sunderland, Commissions North, the County Durham Bird Recorder and Northern Architecture.