Children from a school near York launched an art attack on a graffiti-ravaged youth shelter this week.

Guided by professional mural artist Griselda Goldsbrough, the 243 pupils of New Earswick Primary School brought art and social awareness together to give the shelter a stellar facelift.

Griselda and her young allies took four days to transform the inside of the octagonal shelter on the green outside the school into a kaleidoscopic star-scene, with designs inspired by artists such as Matisse, Kandinsky and Bridget Riley.

Every child had a hand in either designing or painting the finished article, made possible through support from the York Community Pride Challenge Fund and the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust.

Last May, the Evening Press reported how the shelter was ravaged by people who daubed graffiti throughout its interior.

"The children loved this project and became very attached to the new-look shelter. I really hope the shelter will now be treated with respect and protected from vandalism and graffiti," said Griselda, adding that a layer of anti-graffiti paint will be applied to both the interior and exterior as soon as possible.

Head teacher Carole Farrar said she was very proud of the children's work. "They have learned lessons about socially-responsible behaviour and have improved the visual space enormously," she said "The children have really taken to this project and have loved their time working with Griselda. They have shown a sense of pride in their work."

"I am very proud of their ideas and hard work and hope everyone treats the mural with the respect it deserves."

Updated: 10:20 Friday, October 08, 2004