A TOUCH of animal magic is coming to part of Hartlepool.

Lively-looking metalwork designs of a cow, a shoal of fish and a cat, will shortly be installed in Owton-Rossmere as part of a project to improve and regenerate the area.

The designs are the work of children from Rossmere Primary School and Rossmere Youth Centre, who have spent several months turning their ideas into reality with the help of blacksmith and artist Graeme Hopper.

He visited the youngsters to work with them on their designs and they also had an opportunity to visit his workshop and forge in Hunwick, County Durham, to see their ideas taking shape and to learn more about the art of the blacksmith.

The scheme is part of the green wedge project, which aims to improve the environment and the green spaces in the Owton-Rossmere area.

Maureen Hanley, the Owton-Rossmere Single Regeneration Budget community arts officer said: "This has been a tremendously exciting project for the children, one which really caught their imaginations.

"It has helped them develop their creative ability and given them the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the traditional skills of smithing and metalworking.

"Equally, it has given them a real feeling of contributing to their neighbourhood, which is a vital quality for the citizens of the future."

The fish will be put in place outside Rossmere Youth Centre, on the corner of Catcote Road and Rossmere Way, and the cat, which features in one of several striking window-shape designs, will be installed on the youth centre wall.

The cow design will help mark the start of the green area near the Red Admiral pub in Catcote Road