REED inspired paintings, sculptures and drawings are now on show at a Weymouth exhibition.

Artistic youngsters from St John's Primary School and Chickerell Primary School celebrated the launch of their exhibition at Weymouth Library.

It shows the culmination of weeks of creation, which began with trips to the RSPB's Radipole Lake nature reserve and has ended with a colourful and creative display.

RSPB South Dorset spokesman Sophie Atherton said: "The artwork is all based on an Artwarbler project we launched.

"It was aimed at combining getting kids out in the natural world in the nature reserve and inspiring them to create art works.

"We had a couple of artists, sculptor Sarah Gilpin and painter Antonia Phillips, working with us thanks to an Awards for All grant."

The National Lottery funded Artwarblers began back in October with off-the-beaten-track visits to the nature reserve.

Ms Atherton said enabling the children to get close to nature inspired their artwork. They were encouraged to use reeds and other materials such as sedge, bulrushes and moss to create their work.

She added: "It was a wonderful project combining learning about nature and conservation and safeguarding wildlife.

"It was always going to end in an exhibition and hopefully it will inspire other people to come and visit Radipole and to enjoy the world around them."

The exhibition will run until April 4 and is open to the public at the Mul-berry Gallery at Weymouth Library.