CHILDREN at St Mary's School, Whitehead Street, South Shields, have been taking part in a visual arts project at the town's Customs House art venue, under the guidance of professional artists Melanie Todd and Janie Banks.

The children were asked to design motifs exploring quiet, calm and self-awareness. Ideas were then used to produce pieces of artwork within "quiet corners" of the classrooms.

Project manager Joe Peterson said: "The project has been a tremendous success. The artists have worked with every child in the school from four-year-olds to 11-year-olds.

"It has been a fantastic collaboration, not only between the children within each class, but also between all the classes in the school."

Each child received a certificate for their part in the project, which was funded by the Customs House and the Single Regeneration Budget.

Deputy headteacher Marilyn Maverick said: "It has been a wonderful experience for all of the children in our school.

"This was a fantastic opportunity for them to work with professional artists, and they have all gained a great deal from taking part in the project."