CHILDREN have been helping to brighten up the paediatric ward at Great Western Hospital over half term week.

More than 20 youngsters aged five to 15 threw their energy behind a scheme to create a series of murals, based around a treasure island theme, with the help of a team of community artists 'No Added Sugar'.

One of those helping out was Hospital and Home education co-ordinator Megan Brown.

She said: "This has been great. A lot of the time when I am helping children out with their school work, we have to concentrate on the core subjects because of the limited amount of time that we have.

"For them to spend half term doing these murals is something a bit different for them.

"It will really cheer the place up.

"The wonderful thing is that we have seen a number of former patients coming back.

"It is a tribute to the people who run the ward that these kids are prepared to come back, during half term to help out."

Patient Jade Hatt, nine, agreed that the project had been a lot of fun.

She said: "I love doing the painting. It looks great now."

Also joining in the fun was Danika Schofield, 14, who said: "It is a nice way to bring a bit of colour to the ward.

"When you first come here, it can be a bit scary.

"Having a lot of colour about makes it look less clinical."

And another patient, Sarah Butcher, 14, said: "I wanted to put something back and to make the place more cheerful for other children who come here, especially the little kids."