A SHEEP'S fleece, branches and broken tiles were a few of the materials used by children during a recent art week.

Boys at Aysgarth School, near Bedale, had the chance to shut their textbooks and fold away their school uniform as they dedicated their time to artistic creations.

Following their exams, the eight to 13-year-olds took a week off from normal lessons to take part in a series of workshops and trips with visiting artists.

The pupils visited the Baltic arts centre, in Gateshead, and the Angel of the North, before learning about subjects including mosaics, book-binding and sculpture.

The children's work, including pictures, wall-hangings and sculptured heads, has been mounted and will be on show during the school's open day.

"This was a wonderful opportunity for the boys to express themselves creatively with inspiration from our visiting artists, to whom I am enormously grateful," said headmaster Anthony Goddard.