PUPILS at a North-East school have been inspired by the death of a friend to concentrate their artistic talents on designing a safety message.

Posters warning about the dangers of rope swings have been created by pupils at Monkwearmouth School, Sunderland, which specialises in the arts.

They are being printed by Northumbria Police.

It follows the death of pupil Peter Lane, aged 13, who died in November 2002 after falling from a swing as he played with his friends on the banks of the Wear.

Year nine pupils took part in a competition to design a safety poster which will be displayed around Sunderland and in all schools.

Since Peter's death his mother, Julie Reay, has been campaigning to raise awareness among children and parents of the dangers of rope swings.

At a special school assembly this week she will announce the winning poster and talk to her son's classmates about being more aware when out and about, urging them to take time to think of the consequences when having fun with rope swings.

She said: " No one can ever imagine how hard the past few years have been.

"I don't ever want to hear about another death like Peter's, and if this campaign raises awareness and gets that message out, as I'm sure it will, then the hard work will have been worth it."

Youth issues officer PC Neil Wrightson said: "Rope swings look like fun but children just don't think of the hidden dangers and extreme consequences of falling. We hope by getting this message out we make youngsters more aware of what they are doing."