MONKEYING around with an artist has paid dividends for pupils at a Derwentside school.

Year two pupils at Shotley Infants School, in Shotley Bridge, near Consett, spent a week working with Chinese artist Chun Chao Chiu.

The end result is a much larger-than-life primate, to mark the Chinese Year of the Monkey.

The structure, which is more than 6ft, is made of silk, willow and wire and is illuminated with a series of flashing lights.

The project was organised with the North-East Chinese Association, in Newcastle, to fit in with the pupils' curriculum work in art and science.

Shotley Infants School headteacher Margaret Bainbridge said: "It was a great opportunity for the youngsters to see an artist at work, and he involved them in the design process.

"It helped to give the children a better understanding of multi-cultural Britain."

The school will follow up its work with a Chinese-themed day at the end of February.