ARTWORK produced by children as part of a project to brighten up a village has been of such a high standard that it is to be turned into a calendar.

Fishburn in Bloom is a project funded by regional development agency One NorthEast and Age Concern.

It involves older volunteers working alongside children from Fishburn Primary School to enter their village in the Northumbria in Bloom Competition. The groups are working on designs for the village and the class involved has also entered the children's painting competition.

The level of artwork was so high that a Fishburn in Bloom calendar for 2004 is to be produced, consisting of the children's floral designs.

These will be available from Fishburn Primary School for £2 each from July and the revenue will part-fund the project for another year.

This week the children worked alongside residents from Willow Dene Care Home to make hanging baskets and fill tubs.

Project worker Marianne Patterson said: "Some residents commented on the energy and enthusiasm that the children created while they were working, as well as on their manners and good behaviour.

"This project epitomises the spirit of Age Concern Durham County's intergenerational programme, which aims to bridge generational divides by bringing older and younger people together in a positive sharing of skills, experience and friendship. In this case, it is a joint effort between the generations."

For more information about the project contact Marianne Patterson on 0191-3863856.