CREATIVE schoolchildren have been inspired by the latest display at York Art Gallery.

An exhibition - Jerwood Applied Arts Prize 2003: Glass - showcases the work of eight top contemporary glass art-ists, ranging from small sculptures to large installations.

Yesterday, a group of ten and 11-year-olds, from St Wilfrid's RC Primary School, in York, visited to have a look at the work before creating their own pieces of writing and artwork.

The youngsters are working with a writer and an artist at York Art Gallery and Impressions Gallery, York, as part of an educational project called Connect 4, which is running over several weeks.

The gallery's assistant curator, Ros Macdonald, said the children had responded very positively to the glass exhibition.

Pupil Joanne Roberts, aged ten, said: "I like this exhibition because it's different and unusual. It's more exciting for children."

The Jerwood Applied Arts Prize, organised by the Crafts Council, is the most prestigious award in the applied and decorative arts and was this year awarded for excellence and innovation in contemporary glass in the UK.

York is the first venue to host the exhibition outside London.

The exhibition continues until January 18 and admission is free.