CHILDREN at a North-East school have used their artistic skills to help shape the future of their local community.

Pupils at St Joseph's RC Primary School, in Hartlepool, were set the challenge of coming up with a model, drawing, painting or virtual design setting out what activities and facilities they would like to see in the Burbank area of the town.

The challenge was set by the Housing Hartlepool group as part of a community awareness awards scheme. The intention is to incorporate the children's ideas into plans for the area.

The winner and two runners-up, who were selected by a local resident group member and a representative of Housing Hartlepool, will receive their prizes at a school ceremony this morning.

Eddie Price, resident participation officer with Housing Hartlepool, said: "The standard of pupils' work is amazing. Clearly a lot of thought and effort has gone into their designs.

"These youngsters, and maybe their children, are the future of the local community, so I am delighted they are becoming actively involved in planning for that future.

"As well as incorporating their work into Housing Hartlepool's vision for the future of Burbank, we will also be making their ideas available to other agencies that are also committed to making Burbank as desirable a place to live as possible."