AN acclaimed artist returned to his roots to encourage young people to be more creative and help design a poster for a child safety campaign.

Mackenzie Thorpe has linked up with Cleveland Police to launch the force’s Art of Safety scheme at his former school St Joseph’s RC, in Middlesbrough.

Returning to the school for the first time since he left as an 11-year-old in 1967, Mr Thorpe spent time helping pupils with their artwork.

He said: “It is important children are encouraged to express themselves through drawing and painting. If helps them to think about their safety and the safety of others, that is excellent.”

Now in its fourth year, the campaign attracts entries from pupils from across the force area and this year the theme is Keeping People Safe @ Christmas.

Chief Constable Sean Price said: “We were delighted that Mr Thorpe agreed to launch this year’s campaign. He was raised in the area and now his artwork hangs on walls across the world.”

Josie Wilson, headteacher at St Joseph’s, said: “The children know about Mr Thorpe and his work and were very excited about the visit.”

After leaving secondary school Mr Thorpe found work in the local shipyards before taking the leap to study art at colleges in Teesside and London.

His art is recognised across the globe, with many of his works inspired from his early Teesside memories.

An exhibition of his paintings has proved so popular at Middlesbrough’s Captain Cook Birthplace Museum that it has been extended to January.

Full details of the competition can be found at cleveland.police.uk