A COLOURFUL mural will be the first thing youngsters see when they wake up after an operation.
The mural, featuring animals and flowers, has been painted in the paediatrics recovery area at Darlington Memorial Hospital.
The work was carried out by a team of 11 students from Northallerton College at the request of anaesthetist Dr Richard Hixson.
"I saw a piece in the paper about two art students from the college who had painted a mural in a children's centre in Northallerton, so I made a few inquiries," he said.
The students, all girls aged 16 to 18, are members of the Millennium Volunteers, a scheme which encourages young people to give their time for the benefit of others.
Dr Hixson said: "It is part of our desire to provide the right atmosphere for children, geared specifically to their needs, as stress-free as possible and reflecting the high standards of care. It is also part of keeping things local where possible."
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