YOUNGSTERS from two Guisborough primary schools have been making their mark on the town's history.

For the past three years, pupils from Park Lane Infant School and Northgate Junior School have been involved in a regeneration project organised by Guisborough Town Council.

The scheme is to brighten up the walls of Bakehouse Square, in the town centre, with a mural depicting different aspects of the ancient town's history using tiles designed by the youngsters.

The scheme was meant to be the town's millennium project, but funding problems meant it was put back.

Unfortunately, it means that some of the children who did the original research and designs are no longer involved in the scheme because they have transferred to Laurence Jackson Secondary School.

However, this week, year four children who started the project when they were in the infant school, made the first cut in the clay tiles with help from project artist Andy McKeown.

He said: "The project aims to show Guisborough through historic times right through to the modern day. It is brilliant for the kids."

Depictions include Georgian buildings on Westgate, the beginnings of ironstone mining, the development of the market and the town's priory.

Pat Anderson, headteacher at the school, said the eight and nine-year-olds did a lot of historical research in their own time, but it was a project they all seemed to enjoy.

She said it was also teaching the children about protecting their environment and heritage.