Schoolchildren in Weymouth are proudly showing off a 16ft fish they created in an art class with a difference.

Four primary schools and four secondary schools have been working on the project for three months, creating more than 1,000 scales and individually tying each one to the giant artwork.

They used more than 100kg of clay and 350 recycled drinks cans to create the Big Fish, now on display in the grounds of Weymouth College.

And to celebrate, the 120 budding artists sat down to a fish dinner in the college canteen.

Project manager Sarah Colwell said: "Every year we run a different project on a 'big' theme. Last year it was the 'big picture' and this year it's the 'big fish'.

"Our staff enjoy these projects just as much as the children and we are already planning next year's big creation."

St Andrew's Primary School pupil Laura Jones, 10, said: "Seeing the fish unveiled was great It looked much nicer than I thought it would and much bigger too."

Bincombe Valley School pupil James Mansfield, 10, said: "The fish looks amazing - it's really cool.

"And coming to college was fun."

Weymouth College principal Sue Moore unveiled the fish, showing the children their finished project for the first time.

She said: "We love working with local schools and are really proud to have such a fantastic art project displayed at the college."