A COMMUNITY has been captured in art and creativity as part of a large-scale project.

Students from Stockton Riverside College have been tasked with summing up what Thornaby means to them.

They set out to its centre in an attempt to capture the essence of the area and produced a variety of paintings, graphics and photography.

Their efforts form part of a project driven by Thornaby Town Council that invites the public to use art, photography and words to reflect and recognise the town’s heritage and community spirit.

The work produced will eventually be compiled to create a banner that will be displayed on scaffolding outside the Grade II listed Town Hall, which is currently being renovated.

Community Heritage Co-ordinator Tracy Roberts said: “We are trying to bring the beauty and heritage of the Thornaby Town Hall back to life.

“People often see scaffolding on a building and they think, what’s going on, is it going to be demolished?

“We want to create a positive image, something that makes people remember that it is not just an old forgotten building and that something is happening.”

Among the young artists is 20-year-old Ingleby Barwick student Hayley Syson, who said: “The project has been good but also challenging.

“I sometimes cycle to college and pass Thornaby so there are certain images that stand out for me such as the Spitfire.

“It is good to know you are creating something for someone else and that your work will go on to be part of something much bigger.”