Radio Features

A large green ship, designed by children at Teagues Bridge Primary, has been unveiled at the Telford school. The event also marked the launch of the West Midlands branch of the Speight of the Art Foundation. The charity has been set up by Oliver Speight, father of children's TV presenter Mark Speight, who died last year.

The big Green Ship

Megan Davies, who is a teacher at the school, explained that the children had read a Quentin Blake's book The Green Ship and were so impressed they designed a ship of their own.

Davies asked the foundation for funding: "I thought if they are going to bother to design something so beautifully then why not try and build it."

Oliver Speight was at the launch. He said the aim was to encourage young children to express themselves and get involved in art: "Why don't we become a cultural centre of the world, use that talent. This is where it begins, at the grass roots, in Telford."

The wooden ship is designed to be a playground and an outside classroom with seating areas.

The green sails can be moved in different directions and can be used for shade in the summer. The area will also to be planted, while blue chippings around the ship simulate the ocean.