YOUNGSTERS have made their mark on a subway by helping to design a mural.

The artwork was designed on a water theme, complete with mermaid-lollipop ladies, with input from pupils at Mill Hill Primary School, in Sunderland.

It came about after beat manager PC Les Jordan identified residents' concerns that the underpass near the school, at Doxford Park, had become a focus for crime and disorder.

He felt that by adopting it, youngsters would feel a sense of ownership towards it and treat it with more respect.

Sunderland City Council's school travel plan co-ordinator, Margaret Thompson, agreed to fund the mural from the Safer Routes to School budget on the basis that it would encourage more parents to walk their children to school via the subway.

Experts, including artist Elaine Nicholson, worked with the youngsters on the design, and young offenders were enlisted to execute the painting.

Andy Morris, the council's head of transport and engineering, said: "This project is an excellent example of partnership working in action.

"The mural will give a whole new lease of life to the underpass.

"I'm sure the children who had such fun designing it will look after it in years to come."