PUPILS in East Bury have transformed an eyesore into a site of artistic beauty.

They have brought a welcome splash of colour to derelict land on Wash Lane which is awaiting development.

The young students are from Broad Oak High School and four primary schools: East Ward, Holy Trinity, St Paul's and St Thomas's.

They worked with artist Martin Davies who encouraged them to draw their impressions of the environment and how it has changed over recent years. They used a wide variety of techniques, from clay and pastels to paint, and even large-scale drawing with chalks on the playground.

Several pupils at Broad Oak were also given an insight into how to manipulate art and produce digital imagery on a computer.

Each school will receive an art board to permanently display an assortment of images produced by the youngsters.

Sue Arnall, chairman of the East Bury Initiative steering group, said: "The whole process has given young people the confidence to show off their artistic talents by experiencing education from a different angle, while temporarily removing an eyesore."