EIGHT schools in St Helens have been chosen to pilot the new Arts Ambassadors in Schools project.

Art committees of teachers, parents and pupils have been set up at each of the schools to co-ordinate visits by professional artists and to set up courses.

Youngsters from the four ambassador primary schools -- St Peter's C of E, Newton-le-Willows; Allanson Street Primary School, Parr; Garswood and Eccleston Mere -- recently staged a concert of song, drama and music and an exhibition of art at St Helens Town Hall.

Merseyside poet Terry Caffrey presented the concert, which was produced by former Star band correspondent, Fred Matthias.

The four secondary schools involved in the project are De La Salle, Mill Brow, Eccleston; Sutton Community High School, Eltonhead Road; Haydock High School, Clipsley Lane, and Broadway Community High School, Upland Road.

The Arts Ambassadors project is funded by the North West Arts Board and St Helens Council, Cheshire County Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council were selected to steer the scheme through its early days.