Southend youngsters get creative

9 June 2010, 13:28

Children and young people in Southend have got together to produce artwork inspired by London's 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The exhibits have gone on display to transform the hoardings surrounding new Garon park pool at the Leisure and Tennis Centre.

Local artist Debbie Hadley led the project, which involved students from Cecil Jones High School, Temple Sutton Primary School, Kingsdown Special School and young people from Connexions, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's youth service.

There are 25 boards depicting sporting scenes. To help them, they were visited by two athletes, Jenny Copnall (five times British Mountain Bike Champion) and Lottie Thompson (English Schools Diving Championship winner 2006-2009).

Southend-on-Sea Borough Counicl's Executive Councillor for Culture, Councillor Derek Jarvis said: "This tremendous project, suppoted by Southend-on-Sea Legacy 2012, has enabled children and young people to work with each other and with a talented artist to bring out their creative potential, as well as giving them the opportunity to meet top athletes - terrific role models.

"This collaboration has led to this really vibrant artwork which has brought these hoardings vividly to life."

See a gallery of the artwork below.