PUPILS at a Bury school have been harnessing their artistic talents to reflect their own identity.

Around 26 Year 10 GCSE art group teenagers at Derby High School are helping produce a series of collages which will go on public display in May.

The school is taking part in the "Wealth in Common" project, part of the celebrations surrounding the Commonwealth Games and the Spirit of Friendship and Cultureshock festivals.

It will culminate in an exhibition at Bury Art Gallery, from May 25 until July 13.

The project is being funded by Bury local education authority and artists in schools, involving pupils from Bury, Bolton and Rochdale.

Five Bury high schools, Derby, Broad Oak, Castlebrook, Woodhey and Radcliffe together with Cloughside Special School, have been selected to take part.

Six artists have been chosen from across the country to exhibit work in the exhibition. Pupils are using the work of the artists as a starting point for their own creative exploration of the specific themes which are culture, identity, youth diversity and fusion.

Derby pupils are responding to the work of Marlene Little, a photographer who produces large, beautifully coloured prints of graffiti from Australia and the UK.

Bolton-based artist Mandy Fairclough is helping the pupils to respond to the work of Marlene.

Derby's Year 10 art group has produced collages, based on the theme of cultural identity, which include symbols and aspects to represent lifestyle and culture.

The students have made "tags" and collected objects that reflect their own identity.

These are being covered in latex which will be peeled off and hung in Bury Art Gallery alongside Marlene Little's work.

She has introduced them to a technique that she uses in her own work, covering objects in latex.

Pupils have enjoyed the project tremendously and have responded positively to the work of Marlene Little.

They even brought their own objects from home to be included as well as arriving early at the school, displaying a collective enthusiasm.