A MAJOR project to revamp a Rossendale park has seen students re-create a mosaic near their school.

Years ago, artistic pupils at Haslingden High School designed the artwork for Victoria Park, Helmshore Road in Haslingden, but recently it fell into a poor state of repair.

The newly-formed Friends of Victoria Park group, which is carrying out a series of projects to improve the park, teamed up with the school to restore the piece to its former glory.

Students from Year Seven to Year 10 gave up their break time and stayed after school to create new designs.

Art teacher Sally Tembo said: “The final design was based on the school crest and we created it in school on a piece of wood.

“We were very grateful to Tracey Peace, whose daughter Abbi is in Year 10, who sourced the materials.”

Although students finished the work last July, they had to wait until now to install it as the area earmarked for the development had to be resurfaced by Rossendale Council. Grace Collinson, from Year 10, said the mosaic was another step towards making the park a more enjoyable place to be She said: “I like our mosaic.

“I like the Olympic rings, which tie in with this year’s London Olympics, I like the griffin and lion because it represents England and the rose because it represents Lancashire.

“I think it brightens up that area of the park.

“I live near the park and so go there regularly and like all the improvements that have been made.

Mrs Tembo added: “In 10 years time the students will be able to go back to the park and see the mosaic and say, ‘I did that’.”

The Friends group has, in recent months, opened a new £120,000 play area, planted a memorial tree to Ella Stringer and erected new railings and gates at the park’s bowling green, to transform the park, Chairman Rob Moss said: “We’ve also handed over the wildlife area to (mental health charity) Rossendale Rubicon and now we’re working on restoring the 110-year-old fountain to its former glory.”