ARTWORK by schoolchildren from across North Yorkshire is brightening up the corridors of power.

Youngsters were invited to submit their work for a series of exhibitions at the county council headquarters, County Hall, in Northallerton - and a huge response has led to plans being made for six displays.

Schools with work on show in the first exhibition, which was opened yesterday by Councillor Murray Naylor, include Colburn County Primary, Thirsk School and Granby High School, in Harrogate.

Coun Naylor said: "I think this is a great initiative. There is a lot of excellent artwork produced in our schools, which might never be on display to the public.

"We get a lot of visitors to County Hall so the artwork will now be seen by people from all over the country as well as abroad.

"For the young people in our schools, this could become one of the most prestigious galleries in the area to show off their work.