A HUGE mural inspired by youngsters at Middleton Tyas Junior School will come under close scrutiny today.

Art foundation students at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington, are halfway through painting a colourful mural for the school's tiny playground.

But the excited children could not wait any longer and this morning 23 of them visit the college's arts department in Trinity Road, Darlington, to see how it is coming along.

The mural, measuring 23ft by 8ft, is a result of the school asking the college for help to brighten up the playground using money raised by the Friends of Middleton Tyas School.

Students visited the youngsters to find out what they wanted to see in the artwork.

Once finished, the mural, which features jungle scenes, magic space, pets, Playstations and even Lara Croft, will hang on the side of a grey stone playground wall for all to see.

Head teacher John Ridley told the D&S Times: "This is the second phase of a project to make our small playground more interesting. This mural is an ideal way of brightening up the yard which at the moment is a bit like the prison yard at Alcatraz.

"The children are very excited about seeing the mural."

The mural is expected to be take its place on the school wall after the Easter holidays.

Rita Smith, director of studies for creative arts at the college, added: "It's going to lend energy, colour and exuberance to their playground."