TWO pieces of artwork, created with the help of schoolchildren, have been unveiled.

Sculptor Phil Townsend was commissioned to produce two stone and timber benches by the Haswell and Haswell Plough Regeneration Partnership.

The benches have been designed to reflect the aspiration of the partnership for a "new life for the two villages'', as well as reflecting the natural beauty of the communities.

Each bench consists of a block of hard sandstone from west Durham and Phil has carved a relief design on one face; set ceramic tiles in a second surface. Seats attached to them are made from recycled railway sleepers used in County Durham.

Mr Townsend held workshops at Haswell Primary School last June.

Working in clay, children and adults made portrait heads of each other using ceramic tiles.

The heads were displayed at the Haswell Community Festival and 30 of the tiles have been incorporated into the two benches.

Easington District council chairman Bill Gustard spoke of his delight as he unveiled the sculptures and benches.