Pupils create a friendship field

A special garden is blooming after pupils found a way to showcase friendships.

Children at Marine Park First School, in Whitley Bay, have been working with artist Penny Payne to create a friendship garden out of yellow roses.

They created over 500 ‘friendship flowers’ set out across the school garden as a symbol of unity, taking inspiration from the Poppy Fields of London’s Tower Bridge.

Each of the flowers contains a special message of friendship, with staff hoping the garden will be used as a place for the children to talk about issues of friendship, including anti-bullying, kindness and community.

Headteacher Stephen Easton said: “The Tower Bridge Poppies formed such a memorable art installation in London. We are aiming to replicate it in Whitley Bay whilst also promoting the values of unity and friendship.”

• To view a video of the pupils in the garden, visit www.newsguardian.co.uk

Must address issue of pay