PUPILS from an Oxford school will help transform a building site at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, with a colourful display of art.

The teenagers, from Oxford Community School, in Glanville Road, are putting the finishing touches to their work on hoardings, which will be put up around the site of the hospital's new geriatric wing.

They have been helped by local artist Dionne Barber, who was brought in by building firm HBG Construction, which is carrying out the project.

Amelia Pledge, 15, from Summertown, is one of more than 100 pupils who will take part in the project as part of their GCSE art course work.

She said: "This is the first time I've worked on a work of art this size and it's great that so many of us are involved.

"We've brought together a lot of styles of painting and it's really exciting to think that our work is going to be shown in such a public place."

The paintings, entitled My Oxford, show a variety of scenes around the city, including many landmark buildings.

There are 17 large hoardings and 13 smaller pieces which will be finished in time to be put in place on March 29.

Ms Barber said: "Because it is outside a hospital, we wanted to create something that added another dimension to the space, making it brighter and uplifting.

"The youngsters have been brilliant, especially as it's the first time they've done something on this scale."

The pupils have also been given a tour of the site, due to be completed in the summer.

HBG senior site manager Peter Maguire said: "It's wonderful to see the enthusiasm this idea has created.

"Modern construction is more than just creating buildings - it's about being a good neighbour and giving something back to the communities we work in."

And once the hoardings are taken down, there will still be a chance to see what the pupils achieved as the new Link Gallery at the John Radcliffe will open with a My Oxford exhibition, including a photo diary and smaller paintings inspired by the project.