PUPILS at a Hartlepool primary school can start planning a giant mural to celebrate the town's history.

It will include the monkey-hanging legend, St Hilda's Church and the town's maritime history, including the new marina.

It will be unveiled to celebrate Rossmere Primary School's new European partnership with similar schools in Greece, Italy and Sweden, representatives of which will be present at the event, in October.

The mural will be in the main playground and will involve artist David Johnson, from Whitby, who has developed mural themes across the Tees Valley area.

He will work on the project for five weeks with the pupils together with local storyteller and dramatist Chris Bostock.

Lisa Biggin, headteacher said: "We are delighted with the project, it will transform a very large plain wall. It will help the pupils understand something of the heritage of the town, as well as represent our new European connections.

"All of our European partners will be visiting in the autumn when we hope to give them a big surprise especially when we explain why there is a monkey on it."

Business advisors Grant Thornton launched the school's appeal to raise the money for the mural.