PUPILS made cameras out of cardboard tubes and drew and painted as a way of finding out about higher education yesterday.

About 60 schoolchildren from across Teesside are involved in three days of workshops at Middlesbrough College of Art and Design.

The 13- and 14-year-olds, who have all opted to take art at GCSE, are taking part in a national scheme called Aimhigher.

For a photography workshop, they had to make cameras from crips packaging tubes. Other workshops include digital design and drawing, painting and transfer.

Jo Malcolm, graphics lecturer, said: "They've been wandering around with their cameras this morning and they've had fun.

"We'll stretch them more in the afternoon when all our workshops get a bit more experimental.

"It's a great three days. All the students have opted for art so they're all interested and get a lot from it."

Pupils are from Laurence Jackson School and Gillbrook College in Redcar and Cleveland, Manor College of Technology in Hartlepool, Thornaby Academy and St Patrick's Catholic College in Stockton and Oakfields Community College in Middlesbrough.

The Aimhigher scheme, funded by the Government, is an initiative to increase the numbers of schoolchildren from under-represented groups going on to higher education.

Funding for the scheme will come cease at the end of July.