PUPILS have brightened up their playground with pictures of lions and crocodiles.

A plain brick wall at Leeming and Londonderry Primary School has been transformed with a colourful mural of the African jungle.

The pupils have been studying Africa, and it was decided that the playground needed a more stimulating backdrop.

The project was co-ordinated by Nicola Holdsworth, a part-time key stage two teacher.

She said: "We got pupils to research Africa and the children came up with some of their own ideas, which were incorporated in the mural.

"While working on the project they learned about jungle animals as well as about art and about colour mixing.

"Parents and visitors to the school have been delighted and very impressed by the finished mural."

The mural was completed in only two days by 42 children using masonry paints.