THE boot was on the other foot when children at a North-East primary school asked Ofsted chief David Bell to put his drawing skills to the test.

Mr Bell visited Barmston Village Primary School, in Washington, Wearside, yesterday, where he was asked to finish the school's Never Ending Mural.

With the help of year five children, he added his own imaginary creature to the storyboard.

The artwork had been created by artist-in-residence Gavin Mayhew and pupils at the school, and depicts a variety of flying and swimming beasts.

Headteacher Ann Henderson said the project aimed to give children a sense of pride and ownership in their school.

She said: "The children had great fun designing it and they're very excited that no less a figure than Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools is going to help them finish it off.

"I think it's wonderful David Bell is so interested in the work taking place at Barmston Village Primary that he can take time out of his busy schedule to meet the children and appreciate their work."

During the social visit, Mr Bell opened the school's new ICT suite and then toured all the classrooms.