ARTY youngsters delivered a magnificent mural they made in school to the children's ward at Trafford General.

Creative students from Lostock High School gave up their spare time at lunch break, as well as before and after school, to complete the eye-catching artwork, which they presented on January 17.

The intricately crafted jungle scene - which includes elephants, snakes and a tiger, will hang on the wall near the operating theatre at the Davyhulme hospital.

Kyle Naylor, 14, from Stretford, hopes it will help children due to have an operation feel more at ease.

He said: "It's not something you see every day, young people, like me, but who aren't very well. We hope it inspires them and gives them something to take their mind off surgery. It's something for them to enjoy.

"It was a great project to be involved with because you know what you are doing is going to help someone."

Shelby Cooke, 16, from Stretford, said: "We spent a lot of time on the mural before school, and any spare time we had really. It made it all worth it when the children saw it. They were really excited to pick out all the different animals."

The school were asked to create the mural after making art for the Stretford Centre celebrating local icons including LS Lowry, John Rylands and Frances Lennon.

Sharon Boyden, ward manager at the hospital, said: "We wanted to create an area for the children in the theatre area. We wanted to have a jungle theme, but we needed art for the walls. Children need something visual.

"We offered to pay but the school refused, they wanted to donate it."

Lostock High art teacher Lindsey Davies said: "There's so much to look at in the picture. It's been a labour of love from everyone. Students from across all the year groups have been involved, all done in their own time with many coming in as early as 7 am every day.

"I am so proud of the work they have done and the incredible effort they have put in. They wanted it to be perfect for the children in the ward."

Lostock headteacher Lee Fazackerley said: "An often overlooked element of education is teaching young people to be compassionate, to look beyond themselves.

"The students at Lostock High School have learned the most valuable of lessons; the importance of being kind and helping others. I could not be more proud."