Pupils at a County Durham school have joined forces with an author and illustrator to create a colourful mural reminding motorists to practice road safety.

Commissioned by Durham County Council’s road safety team, a series of workshops brought youngsters from St Bede’s Catholic Primary School, in Sacriston, and Sunderland-based author, Holly, together.

Over the course of four sessions, the pupils learnt the illustration skills needed to create eye-catching pieces that would encourage drivers to observe the speed limit and be vigilant when driving around their school.

The pupils worked with the council team to understand the principles of road safety, to which they contributed an individual piece of artwork to the project.

Holly combined their drawings into one large panel that has been printed and installed outside the school.

The Northern Echo: pupils from St Bede’s Catholic Primary School with (left to right) Jonathan Slee, the council’s

Headteacher Samantha Clarke said the students were “excited and very proud to see the finished article”.

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The mural includes iconic local landmarks such as the mining memorial, the clocktower and their school and church, as well as people from the local community - including their school crossing patrol.

Councillor Elizabeth Scott, the council’s cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “These illustration workshops are another great example of the innovative ways in which our road safety team encourages children to become safe road users.

“By combining their new illustration skills with their road safety knowledge, pupils have created a fantastic mural, which encourages drivers to reduce their speed and look out for people crossing the road.”