A BRAND new setting has been created for Pickering pets thanks to the artistic talents of a local student.

Alicia Ogg of Thornton-le-Dale took up her paint brush and made a woodland scene at the Pet Store in Pickering.

The 18-year old Lady Lumley's student said the project had been good fun.

In spite of her talent for painting, Alicia has decided after school she would like to take social and political sciences at Cambridge.

Kath Wynn, whose son Geoff owns the shop, said Alicia had painted trees and leaves on woodwork over rabbits' cages. Besides making the small rodent area an attractive visiting place for children, the shop plans to bring in reptiles.

Updated: 11:48 Wednesday, September 11, 2002