CHILDREN in Breightmet have linked up with youngsters in Australia to swap art displays at their schools.

The OZ project, based at Top o' th' Brow School, Greenroyd Avenue, has encouraged children in Bolton to work together on a virtual art exchange programme with three schools in Australia.

The scheme, which took place over the summer holidays, has been organised by Breightmet Arts, Top o' th' Brow School, Greenroyd Action Group and Art Adventures.

Images with the theme of working together have been completed by the Australian children and e-mailed to Les Elvin, of Breightment Arts, from Carlton School in Melbourne, Ardross Primary School, Perth, and Airds High School in Sydney.

They are being copied on to a wall in the dining room at Top o' th' Brow school to create a brightly-coloured mural.

The Bolton children are preparing their own silk painting to e-mail to the Australian schools.

Local children, many of whom are pupils from the school, have been working on skyline silhouettes of Breightmet, which will also be sent to Australia.

Mr Elvin said: "The project has gone really well. The work that has been done is brilliant, although waiting for the images to be e-mailed from Australia was a bit nerve wracking. They seem much more laid back over there than us."

Breightmet Arts works in the community on arts projects to encourage people to work together, and also helps to give the Breightmet community a positive profile.

Mr Elvin said: "Hopefully, the children will be able to strike up friendships with the children in Australia. It is great that they have been able to work on a local and an international level."