YOUNGSTERS have seen the fruits of their labours take pride of place in a school garden.

Pupils at Moorside Primary School, Consett, County Durham, worked with artist Keith Alexander to create a 5ft stone urn weighing three-quarters of a tonne.

They have also created a similar sized ceramic vase with artist Michael Eden, that will be put in place later this term.

Mr Alexander said: "This is about more than just the end product. It is about the whole process that the kids have gone through, to understand how artists work and what goes into making 3-D objects."

The process has also been recorded by video cameras and a short film about the creation of the artworks has been donated to the school.

Moorside was one of eight schools across Derwentside and Chester-le-Street that took part in an arts project called Forging the Future.

The £200,000 scheme sent professional musicians, performers and artists into schools in a bid to boost pupils' self-confidence and to tackle social exclusion.

Since its launch in January last year, it has involved about 1,400 pupils in activities such as digital animation, sound recording, singing, dance, story-telling and sculpture.

The project was delivered by The Forge, Durham and Sunderland's arts and education agency, and funded through the Single Regeneration Budget.

Moorside headteacher Janet Wrightson said: "We have been absolutely delighted with the project.

"It has been a great opportunity to work with a professional artist, to learn new skills and pass these on to others.

"The project has helped to raise self-esteem, enabling the pupils to learn a lot and has given everyone an opportunity to shine at a new activity.

"We are very proud to have these fantastic sculptures in our school."

Published: ??/??/2004