PUPILS from a York school have used their artistic talents to provide some welcome relief for people with multiple sclerosis.

The physiotherapy department of Woodlands Respite Care Centre, in Thief Lane, York, which provides short-term respite care for people with MS, needed brightening up. Seven pupils from Archbishop Holgate School came to the rescue and created two large colourful fabric murals. Senior physiotherapist at Woodlands, Marianne Ingledew, said: "I thought the department needed some decoration, particularly something to hang in front of the two pedal machines, which guests use to exercise their legs. I wanted to give the guests something to look at other than a blank wall."

The children, aged between 11 and 14, teamed up with local artist Anne Hutchison, who does work for the York-based community art project, Yeast, to produce the fabric murals.

One of the four-foot hangings depicts a dragon guarding money while the other is on a Narnia theme.

One of the pupils involved in making the hangings, Emily Nicholls, also raised £35 for the centre with a sponsored silence.

Updated: 09:54 Wednesday, June 04, 2003