CREEPY-crawlies have been the subject of studies for the art department of a North Yorkshire school.

Students at Norton College produced an electrifying display of insects, such as cockroaches, beetles and scorpions, to celebrate National Insect Week, which starts on Monday.

They were working under the guidance of the Central Science Laboratory at Sand Hutton, which is run by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Year 9 students visited senior entomologist Chris Malumphy, and studied the make-up and behaviour of insects, and then went away to create them in the art classes. Mr Malumphy then visited the pupils to see the giant wire insects they had made.

National Insect Week is a new initiative from the Royal Entomological Society, which aims to encourage the study and appreciation of the fascinating world of insects. During the week, events will take place nationwide, with exhibitions, mini-beast safaris, pond-dipping, night-time moth hunts, and recording sessions of rare and endangered species.

Through an interactive website - www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk - people can find out what is happening in their area during the week, and how they can take part in the National Bumblebee Nest Survey.

Updated: 11:06 Friday, June 11, 2004