PINT-sized Picassos whipped out their brushes to give their playground a fresh lick of paint.

Pupils at Whinfield Infant School, in Darlington, decided to take a break from the classroom for the day to put some colour back into their play area on Friday.

As part of National Art Day, more than 200 pupils used unwanted paint donated by parents and friends to give their playground a facelift, impressing staff at the school.

The playground was split into nine sections, with the pupils forming groups to help paint an area each.

Some of the designs included an underwater world, ladybirds, caterpillars and dragons.

Headteacher Sheila Williams said: "The playground has been completely transformed. It is wonderful.

"Some of the parents have helped out, along with the staff, and now we have a fabulous-looking playground."