CHILDREN from schools across Purbeck helped to unveil a dinosaur mosaic they had made to brighten up Swanage seafront.

The stegosaurus, which adorns a wall along Shore Road, is the work of pupils from Purbeck View, St Mark's Primary, Purbeck School and Swanage School in conjunction with Dawn Newlove and Sunshine Ceramics, to celebrate Purbeck Art Weeks festival.

See all the pictures in a gallery here

Residents from Swanage came along to see the finished piece and joined in with songs and flag flying, which was also attended by the new mayor of Swanage, Cllr Steve Poultney.

Charlotte Heath, Purbeck Art Weeks festival organiser, said: "The dinosaur was created by the children from the theme of Out of the Depths as we have a Purbeck Young Artists section, as well as the main event.

"The ceramic tiles have been painted and glazed by the children, after they were imprinted with different beads, fingerprints and designs as orchestrated by Dawn Newlove. You need to get up close to it to really see the detail.

"It really brightens up what was an empty wall with mainly red colours in the tiles and some blues and the children chose the theme for the mosaic to be how Tilly Whim Caves may have looked in prehistoric times."

Charlotte also said that the new mayor of Swanage has also been involved making some tiles for a pterodactyl mosaic which will be placed above the stegosaurus.

"For the pupils involved, it will be something for them to come back to in Swanage for years to come. It was a great way to launch the first day of this year's festival."

Purbeck Art Weeks Festival runs until Sunday, June 7 with more than 100 artists set to show their work in open studios across Purbeck, as well as talks, demonstrations and exhibitions.

For more information, go to Purbeckartweeks.co.uk