THE walls of a doctors' surgery have been transformed thanks to the efforts of volunteers.

The baby room and children's waiting area at Mowbray House, Northallerton, have been turned into bright and cheery areas with the help of Hambleton Millennium Volunteers.

And the walls at the Malpas Road surgery now boast three colour murals after the girls completed their efforts.

Millennium Volunteers is a national initiative, which encourages people aged 16 to 24 to take part in community projects.

Project co-ordinator Donna Miskin said: "We had already done one mural at the surgery and we were asked to return to do two more."

Volunteer Anna Dawson, of Thimbleby, joined the project to meet the community service element of her Duke of Edinburgh Award.

She said: "It provided the chance to join in something which is a lot of fun and also benefits the children. You get to meet new people and make new friends."

Practice manager Richard Rodley said children were often nervous about visiting the doctor and the murals would provide a useful distraction.

He said: "The murals are wonderful and also brighten up the surgery for everyone."