OLYMPIC-inspired sail making and flag painting has geared up art-loving schoolchildren ahead of the Games.

Decorative artwork covers the walls of each classroom at Chickerell Primary School in Weymouth.

From getting ready for the Moving Tides procession to embracing the Olympic values by working with their link school in London, pupils and staff are eagerly awaiting the Sailing events.

Teacher and art co-ordinator Emily Stiles each class from reception to year six were putting their creative talents to the test.

She said: “Each class is making sails and flags. They are using a method of batiking which is a dying technique.

“All of the sails will be joined together to form a giant sail for the Moving Tides ceremony.”

The Moving Tides ceremony will see 700 children from 20 schools across the area take part in a spectacular walking carnival procession to Weymouth beach in time for the arrival of the Olympic Torch.

Schoolchildren at Chickerell Primary spent months designing and creating costumes, props, music and dance routines for the event.

A student from Bournemouth Arts University College helped pupils make their costumes.

Ms Stiles added: “Each school has been given a different colour and Chickerell will parade in costumes of blue and orange inspired by the Regal Tang Fish.”

Year two and year five pupils at Chickerell have been writing letters and getting creative with children at Downderry Primary School in Lewisham, London.

Art-loving children from both schools created Olympic-inspired work to swap with their link school in the build up the Games.

Ms Stiles said: “Both London and Weymouth and Portland are hosting the Games so it has been a really exciting link for the pupils.

“We will end up with a huge art piece from Downderry and they will get one from us.”

Year two teacher Sarah Saunders said: “The Olympic values have been entwined with all of our lessons. It shows the children how important it is for different cultures to come together.”

Chickerell Primary also took part in the School to School Torch relay which visited 25 schools across Weymouth and Portland.