A PROFESSIONAL artist has inspired Abberley Hall School pupils to create some colourful works of art.

Darryll Wakelam helped final year students construct two large totem poles. The project started on Monday, June 19, with a visit to Oxford's Natural History Museum and The Pitt Rivers Museum, where pupils sketched and learnt about North American totems.

Mr Wakelam spent Thursday, June 22, and Friday, June 23, using his skills in three-dimensional construction and mask-making to make a totem pole that is almost four metres tall.

Sue Vicenzotti, head of art and DT at the school, said: "It is a million times better than I imagined it.

"One of the children said working with the artist was inspirational, which you don't often hear.

"It has beautiful details and real texture. It's really unbelievable."

Small groups of children worked on separate sections of the totem pole, which is made from recycled materials. It was a special end of term activity for the 13-year-olds in their last year at the school.

The striking totem pole model will be displayed outside the school's main hall.