WELLIE boots, a rusty coal skuttle and old tyres are just some of the items which have been recycled to make a unique living sculpture at a West Devon primary school.

The idea for the sculpture at Meavy Primary School grew from a visit to the Moving the Sun Exhibition at Exeter Cathedral in February.

Mary Williamson, headteacher at the school, said: 'One of the pupils was inspired by a particular piece done with old tyres and said she would like to do something similar to be part of our garden — it just started as a casual remark.'

Mrs Williamson said the idea was taken on by the entire class of Year 5 and 6 pupils, who began to draw up sketches for their sculpture.

Once they had decided on the design, containers suitable for recycling were donated to the school.

'It was quite frightening,' said Mrs Williamson. 'When they first had the idea it looked really good, but when I saw some of the things coming in I began to get a bit concerned because I thought we were going to end up with a junkyard!'

She said common sense prevailed and suitable containers were painted by the pupils and varnished by staff.

The children helped dig out a crater in the school grounds, arranged their tyres, buckets, boots and coal skuttle and they were eventually filled with plants, some grown from seeds and some donated to the school.

Coloured and varnished bricks were laid around the 'living sculpture' as a border.

Mrs Williamson said the plants have taken well and should flower soon — given some sunshine.

As pupils Sophie Leach and Laura Kingdon said: 'Everybody in our class took part in making our living sculpture and we recommend anyone to have a go — it really adds a splash of colour to an ordinary school yard!'