YOUNG artists are looking forward to making history when their work takes centre stage at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Children from Thornhill Primary School, in Shildon, have spent eight days working with resident artist Frances Connolly to create a golden tapestry that depicts the history of the town they live in.

The children were given the task to complete a one metre square tapestry using the town's history and culture, and were given a month of the year to focus on.

The pupils used local railway pioneer Timothy Hackworth and Shildon's railway heritage, and were told to focus on the month of June.

Their work will be joined with the work of other schools in Commonwealth countries to make a huge tapestry to be displayed at the games in Melbourne, Australia.

Headteacher Liz McAllister said the project had also given parents and members of the community a chance to get involved.

She said: "Every single child has contributed and parents and friends of the school have been sewing.

"This has been a chance for both the children and the community to take part in something that will be an historical record of this particular Commonwealth Games. It is magnificent and has been an absolute thrill to take part in."