Artwork goes on display at Blackpool train station

The pupils went to see their artwork at Blackpool South station

Around 85 pupils from Thames Academy Primary School in South Shore have worked on the project which was unveiled at Blackpool South station on Tuesday by Mayor Coun Ian Coleman.

They drew on the themes of the seaside, Blackpool Tower, resort attractions and night life to create posters and a map as part of a project to revitalise the platform.

The children have worked with Community Rail Lancashire, Network Rail, and the Park View 4U Education team.

Julie Norman, artist and park ranger at Park View 4U, said: “It was wonderful to see the pupils’ reactions when they saw their artwork for the first time.

“They all quickly pointed to the images they had produced and were over the moon to hear the artwork will be reproduced and displayed at other stations along the South Fylde line as well as other stations as far away as Blackburn.”

Blackpool South station is one of a number of stations on the South Fylde line that has been improved over the last couple of years.

The pupils were introduced to train travel by Emily Elliot, Community Rail’s education development officer, who took them on a train journey from Blackpool to Preston Station. Children made notes and drawings of things they saw along the way and took part in activities to teach them more about sustainable transport, buying a ticket and reading timetables.

They then worked with Julie on a variety of techniques including using a printing press, tissue paper, line drawings and watercolours to produce colourful artwork reflecting the vibrancy of their hometown.

Shanni Cutriss, nine, Gemma Clark, 10, Mackenzie Feenie, nine, and Jack Chadwick, 10, were among the youngsters who worked on the project. Gemma said: “It’s brilliant that everyone can see the work we’ve done and it will help to bring more people to Blackpool.”

Coun David O’Hara, of the Friends of Blackpool South Station, said: “Any project which tidies up the station is very welcome to make it a more pleasant experience when people arrive in Blackpool.”