ARTIST and canal historian Tony Lewery is spending a week as artist-in-residence at Gibfield Special School, Colne.

He began work today with pupils aged 11-15 on the canal boat The Lancashire Enterprise decorating interior panels with traditional designs associated uniquely with the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

The style of decoration known as bright work features scrolls and geometric patterns with scenes filling larger flat surfaces.

Gibfield headteacher Cliff Cohen said: "This is an exceptional opportunity for our pupils to be involved in creating some permanent artwork for The Lancashire Enterprise, a boat used regularly by the school."