A COLOURFUL mural depicting a seaside scene is brightening up the outdoor playtime of children who use a hospital nursery.

The large piece of art covers the fence at the Children's Centre at the University Hospital of North Tees, in Stockton.

It was designed and painted by pupils at the town's Bishopsgarth Comprehensive School.

The Children's Centre is jointly funded by Stockton Borough Council and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust.

Its staff help with the development of children with special educational needs, from the age of 18 months to four years.

Children from Bishopsgarth School were invited to take part in a competition to design the mural, and the Children's Centre chose two winners, which were amalgamated into the finished creation.

The artwork is 6ft high and 50ft long, and runs the length of the fence of the enclosed play area.

Jane Harvey, headteacher at the Children's Centre, said: "We had a new fence and felt the area needed brightening up.

"We thought it would be a good joint project between us and the school."