WORKS of art inspired by Tilbury and created by two youngsters at the town's St Mary's Catholic Primary School will adorn hoardings in the local civic square which promote future developments.

St Mary's year five pupils Max and Ziona were presented with a bundle of goodies by Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price on behalf of the Tilbury Towns Fund Board for their contribution to the display, which also features work from students at the Gateway Academy. Youngsters were invited to enter their pieces of art inspired by the town

Ms Doyle-Price, who is also vice chair of the funds board, said: "We received many outstanding entries to this competition and are delighted to be showcasing the talents of St Mary's on the hoardings installed in Civic Square.

"These feature alongside information celebrating Tilbury's important history, as well as the Tilbury Towns Fund Board's aspirations for Tilbury. The transformation of Tilbury continues to progress with the needs of its community at the forefront of its regeneration. Well done to all involved."

Mrs Victoria McBrown, headteacher of St Mary's Catholic, added: "Our children were thrilled to take part in this competition and thoroughly enjoyed creating some outstanding artwork.

"Both Max and Ziona took great care and pride in their work so it was incredibly exciting to let them know that their artwork had achieved the most votes and they had won a prize!

"We are proud to have taken part in this project which will be seen by the wider Tilbury community, as well as our pupils' family and friends."

The children's artwork is displayed on the new hoarding in Tilbury Civic Square, funded by Tilbury Towns Fund Board, for the whole community to enjoy alongside drawings by students from The Gateway Academy.

The board's proposals to transform Tilbury have been awarded £22.8million of funding as part of the government's Towns Fund scheme. This could include a state-of-the-art youth facility and improvements across the entire town aimed at restoring its civic heart, celebrating its rich heritage and future proofing Tilbury for generations to come.