THE playground of a village school near Bedale has a bright new look, thanks to the artistic efforts of its young pupils.

What was previously a plain brick wall at Leeming and Londonderry County Primary School is now adorned with a colourful mural, measuring about 16ft across, depicting the pupils' idea of a jungle.

The mural was completed in just two days, using masonry paints.

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

The project was co-ordinated by Nicola Holdsworth, a part-time key stage two teacher, who said all 42 children had worked on the design and had painted a part of it.

"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 using bright and warm colours.

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