Young people are helping to create a new mural in Bridport thanks to some generous support.

Local artist Jo Burlington started working with children attending the summer camp at Bridport Leisure Centre on the new outdoor artwork, creating a piece based directly on the youngsters' ideas.

The project has been funded by Brit Valley Rotary Club and the Bridport Young Persons’ Action Trust (BYPAT).

Work on the mural was put on hold once the children returned to school but it is hoped some progress can be made in the coming weeks with a view to finishing it in during the October half-term holiday.

Jo, who is known for running the Oops Wow messy art groups, said: “I will get them to do a portrait of themselves doing something at the leisure centre, and chat about how they feel about the centre while they work. Conversations while making art are always so rich.”

Meanwhile Brit Valley Rotary Club President Adrian Scadding said: “We are only too happy to help with a local project that enhances children’s creativity.”

The leisure centre ran its summer camp throughout the school holidays, with a variety of activities and fun events on offer.

As part of its policy to make facilities accessible and affordable, particularly in such difficult times, the centre ensured that a number of free places were filled by children in receipt of free school dinners, with hot meals also being provided each day at the camp. The centre has received Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) funding from Dorset Council to make this possible.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the demand for funded spaces,” said leisure centre manager Will Thrower.

He added: “We’re extremely pleased to be working in partnership with Dorset Council in delivering the summer sports camp programme, and to be breaking down barriers to accessing our services. We were also delighted to work collaboratively with BYPAT, the Aspire Project and Brit Valley Rotary to make a difference this summer for the young Bridport community."

Following what is very much a pilot venture, the intention is to further expand the programme for 2023.

Find out more information by emailing r.burton@bridportleisure.com