A VILLAGE play park in Dunster is celebrating its surroundings with its newest addition.

Children from the local first school worked with artist Adam Stanley to produce a mosaic depicting the wildlife in the woodland and moor around the Packhorse Playing Field.

And last Saturday the results of their efforts were officially unveiled.

Adam is a professional mosaic artist who now lives in London but whose roots are in West Somerset.

His family lives in Alcombe and the playing field committee - who commissioned the new work - chose him from a number of artists who expressed an interest in working on the project.

"He has welcomed the opportunity to return to Somerset and work in a place he knows and loves," said playing field committee spokesman Davina Jelley.

"He has certainly put a lot of energy into this project."

Year three children at the school drew inspiration from the location of the playing field to design the mosaic.

It has been created using a treasure trove of broken pottery unearthed in the back garden of Robin and Judy Hewison, who have been involved with the playing field for many years and live close to it.

"The children were also encouraged to donate chipped and broken ceramics from home and, alongside new mosaic tiles, this has created a colourful and stunning display," said Mrs Jelley.

"The children involved should all feel very proud of what they have achieved."

The project has been funded by Dunster Parish Council, the first school, ARTLife and the Exmoor National Park Sustainable Development Fund.

Pictured at the unveiling, which included a picnic and fun day for families, are some of the young artists with, from the left, Davina Jelley, Exmoor National Park chief executive Dr Nigel Stone, Dunster Parish Council chairman Cllr Kevin Sully, Adam Stanley and Dunster First School headteacher Peter Hoyland.

Photo: Steve Guscott