YOUNGSTERS have given a colourful makeover to drab safety barriers put up to stop motorists crashing onto a railway line.

Children from Neville's Cross and St Margaret's primary schools, in Durham, worked with artists from the Bearpark Artists Co-operative to brighten the barriers on the A167, near Neville's Cross, that protect the East Coast Main Line railway cutting below.

The design for the road face includes waves, fish, birds and trees, flowing from a very simple design at the barrier ends to a more complex design towards the centre.

On the pedestrian side, a colourful vertical abstract pattern reflects the barrier's vertical panel ribs.

The youngsters have celebrated the completion of the project with Durham County Council's cabinet member for transport and sustainability, Bob Pendlebury, local county councillor Nigel Martin and artist Barry Ormsby, from the co-operative.

"The children's designs have made a real difference to the appearance of this previously drab structure," said Councillor Pendlebury.

"They have been able to take part in a project to see how designs can be applied to an engineering structure.

"Many found the scale of the structure to be challenging, especially trying to visualise how their ideas might look in reality.

"It's great that they are now able to see the results of their work."

Coun Martin said he was impressed by the enthusiasm and range of ideas that came from workshops with the children.

"It's extremely rewarding working with young people on a project that has been implemented using their ideas."