ST HELENS Council's Arts Ambassadors initiative has been named the most effective in the North West.

The borough was one of three local authorities chosen to pilot the year-long project which aims to raise the profile of the arts and build better links between schools and contemporary artistic and cultural life.

Poetry, drama, collage and mosaic making were on the agenda when pupils, teachers, governors and parents celebrated the success of the project at the Citadel with a series of artist-led workshops which coincided with National Children's Art Day.

Councillor Andy Bowden, Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: "This success story has again demonstrated the ability and talent of young people in our schools. They are to be congratulated along with all those who were involved Arts Ambassadors."

During the pilot project, which ends in September, teams of pupils, teachers, governors and parents worked together to bring artists into schools and organise arts events which supported studies across the curriculum. The project recognises the fact that there is an increasing demand locally and nationally for artistic services to support work in many areas of every day life.

The schools involved were Sutton Community High School, De La Salle High, Broadway Community High, Haydock High, Eccleston Mere Primary, Garswood Primary, St Peter's CE Primary, Newton-le-Willows, and Allanson Street Primary, Parr.