A GIANT bird migrated south yesterday with the help of a team from Securicor.

The bird, which stands 130cm high, was created by children at Abbey Road Junior School, in Darlington, for a competition being run by the new National Centre for Deafblindness, in Peterborough.

The competition asked schools to create a piece of artwork suitable for deafblind people for a grand opening exhibition at the centre.

Year Four pupils at Abbey Road submitted an idea for the competition based on Picasso's Dove of Peace.

The idea was accepted and the youngsters started to build their own bird of joy and peace for the competition.

Teacher Paula Thwaites said: "It was all the children's idea. They knew they wanted to build a 3D model that was really touchy-feely.

"They hung bells and textured materials off it and stuck dried lavender on to it, so it appealed to all the senses."

But once the model was completed, Mrs Thwaites realised it was up to the school to transport it down to the exhibition for judging.

She said: "I was starting to panic about getting it to Peterborough in one piece in time for the deadline this week when one of the members of staff said her husband worked for Securicor.

"We rang them and they very kindly agreed to transport the bird for us, free of charge.

"We are very grateful. The children were so excited. It would have been disappointing if they couldn't have entered the competition after all their hard work."

The bird and all the other exhibits, from around the country, will be on show both inside and outside the centre, and the winning entry will be announced at the end of February.

The winning school will receive art materials and the chance to visit the exhibition.