WHEN staff at Helmsley Primary School decided to revamp their reception area, a dedicated team of workers was drafted in.

All 24 children in teacher Shelley Campbell's class helped stitch, weave, plait and sew until an impressive wall hanging was pulled together.

The pupils, aged six to eight, created the enormous art work in a matter of weeks, and now their six creative scenes round the market town adorn the new reception.

Mrs Campbell said: "Our secretary Linda Goodyear has been based in what was like a tiny cupboard up to now.

"She says she thinks the new reception is brilliant, it's really light and airy and welcomes people as they come into the school."

The idea for a wall hanging came after the North York Moors National Park Authority approached the school to design and make one for their offices.

And Mrs Campbell said parting with it was so hard that they decided to make another for themselves.

She said: "The children have all done extremely well.

"Everybody has done something and I think I have some talented children in my class."

Updated: 08:32 Monday, July 22, 2002