YOUNGSTERS received a special visitor to an exhibition of their artwork last night.

Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, attended the exhibition of art and technology produced by more than 90 year 11 GCSE art and technology students at Huntcliff School, Saltburn.

The work ranged from traditional representational artwork to technology and design in advanced resistant materials.

Dr Kumar said: "I was very pleased to visit this exhibition. The old arts curriculum has expanded enormously and now embraces all aspects of design technology - something that is of massive importance in today's fast-changing market place. There are job opportunities out there for keen art and design students, and the creativity shown by the Huntcliff pupils is evidence of the strength of this course as it is taught at the school."