CHILDREN of key workers still attending school have painted and hung a banner up on the school fence in a bid to make passers-by smile.

Primary school children from Polam Hall School, Darlington, painted a banner urging people to stay safe, alongside rainbows which have become a symbol for solidarity, and hung it on their school fence.

Head teacher Mrs Kate Reid said: "We have got key worker's children in school, there are about 16 to 20 each day, of primary and secondary school ages.

"We're trying to keep the kids active and occupied so they don't sit worry about coronavirus. It's everywhere, all any one is talking about or that's in the news, you cannot escape it.

"The primary school children wanted to make a banner, presumably as a lot of them are painting rainbows at home too.

"They wanted to send a message of support out there to the NHS and other workers, who are also their parents, and said to hang it outside on the fence so that it makes other people smile and makes their day a little better."

The children were worried a rainy weekend would ruin their efforts, but the banner remained intact when they returned to school.

Polam Hall School has utilised the weather and delved from the curriculum to make school more creative and entertaining in the midst of the coronavirus crisis.