Giant Mural at New High School site

But the murals project has generated so much enthusiasm participants have been working on after school hours to finish their task on deadline.

Not only does their work count towards their Art GCSE coursework, thanks to the generosity of contractors 4D the additional carrot being offered for artistic endeavour was a series of voucher prizes.

Pathways teacher Ellie Anderson is delighted with the educational project - the commitment it has generated and the results achieved.

Tuesday was prizegiving - a time to survey the finish panels, enjoy a buffet and hear who had won what.

Ellie Anderson explained: "There are 20 panels - and they are huge! They began working on this as a design project, all based on their designs, about six weeks ago."

The Pathways unit is based in a former sports pavilion. Space is at a premium.

Ellie added: "The last four weeks have been spent painting the panels in here. They were so big it made the place dark.

"4D have been marvellous. They paid for all the resources - boards, paint, everything. They even paid for the anti-graffiti paint, because it would take only one silly individual to ruin it.

"The theme of the murals is based on the work of the late artist Keith Haring. Each student had two large panels and have based their painting on something which was personal to them - love, pregnancy, friendship, sport, BMXing....

"They were brilliant! They stayed back after school and worked after hours to get it done.

"What they have done contributes to their Art GCSE work. Also, 4D are giving vouchers as prizes - 120 for the winner, 70 for second place, 40 for third. Every student is going to get a 10 voucher for taking part. Everyone will be a winner!"

Taking part in the project were: Chloe Benton, Sam Boyd, Chanelle Calvert, Lewis Stacey, Tristan De Waele, Ashley James, Katrina Oliver, Charlie Osborn, Paul Withers, Chris Graham and Alex Bossom..