THE beach came to downtown Stockton in a new exhibition by schoolchildren.

Teenagers aged from 14 to 16 are displaying artwork - including sculptures, digital artwork and photographs - made with materials from the beach.

More than 30 youngsters from across the borough produced most of the work at Boggle Hole youth hostel, near the resort of Robin Hood's Bay on the North Yorkshire coast.

All the young people are members of Star (Stockton Arts Revolution) and took part in a workshop weekend at the hostel, where they were encouraged to use the surrounding environment as inspiration.

The weekend was part of The Big Draw, which is a national project to encourage the public to take part in art.

It was organised by the Write to Read Project and funded through the Learning Community Network.

Janet Watson, organiser of the weekend and the exhibition, said: "The youngsters really enjoyed it. The theme of the weekend was 'teamwork works' and they learned that when everyone works together, the work is easier."

The exhibition at the Arc will be free to visitors and continues until Thursday, February 24.

The youngsters' work has been entered for the national Drawing Inspiration Award.

Published: 14/02/2005