YOUNGSTERS went back to school to learn the art of graffiti, before painting landmarks in Accrington.

The 15 art students were described as having hidden talents, after signing up to the 12-week graffiti art course at Accrington and Rossendale College.

The course, which was aimed at youngsters outside full-time education and employment, ended with students leaving their mark on two well-known Accrington sites.

Students painted the New Era community centre and youth club, in Paradise Street, as well as the skate park, in Eagle Street, with their own designs.

Project organisers say they uncovered a surprising level of artistic talent and discovered many of the students want to go on to teach graffiti art.

The students also plan to continue painting local buildings and are currently looking into the possibility of painting an Accrington scout hut and a local homeless shelter.

Youth project co-ordinator Tammy Foley stressed that none of the students had previously been street graffiti artists and were against vandalism.

She said: "We have discussed the legalities of vandalism, but the students are more interested in working with people's permission, using graffiti as an art form, through the college.

"They really enjoyed the course and didn't miss a day of it. They also improved really quicky.

"The techniques they achieved should have taken years.

"The course was something that really reached out to kids and there's been a great atmosphere on the course as a result.

"Many of them are so enthusiastic they want to pursue graffiti art as a career and promote it as a positive art form - which it is.

"The difference this art can make to an area is incredible.

"This week they even did a workshop themselves where they taught their own youth workers and they were great.

"There's definitely a great deal of talent that we never would have discovered without this course."

Hyndburn youth partnership officer PC Rob Flanagan said there was a problem with unauthorised graffiti in the area and encouraged youngsters to showcase their art with permission.

He said: "Graffiti, when done without permission, is vandalism and is anti-social behaviour.

"We do monitor it, as individual graffiti art-ists like to use symbols or tags' which can help us identify them.

"Authorised graffiti, when it's done through a college course is more of an art form, and I think it would encourage young people with talent to use it in the right way.

"People like their graffiti to be seen, that's why public buildings are sometimes targeted."