INSPIRATIONAL children from Worcestershire who have been patients at Birmingham Children’s Hospital have showcased their work at an art exhibition – and even forced a ‘dragon’ to part with some cash.

Young artists behind the ‘My Brilliant Children’s Hospital’ art exhibition unveiled their work for the first time on Saturday at the Waterhall at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

The exhibition displayed 150 pieces of art and each canvas tells the story of the child who painted it.

The children and young people were asked to paint what they thought could make their hospital even more colourful.

Some of their ideas included roller coaster scanners, superhero doctors, ice cream and candy floss machines on each ward, and a cupboard where kidneys are kept so children do not have to wait for a transplant.

Several of the paintings have already been sold, with the first purchased for £500 by Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis, who was impressed by nine year-old Rio Peynado’s painting of superhero doctors.

Vikki Savery, public fund-raising manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, said: “Hospital can be a scary and bewildering place for a child but all these paintings show happiness, imagination and a world full of colour. We hope people will buy these colourful pieces of art and help us raise vital funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.”

l Max Ponsonby, aged 14, of Bromsgrove, underwent complex heart surgery when he was just four days old.

He was born with a rare cardiac condition called pulmonary atresia and surgeons had to recreate the missing pulmonary valve on his heart that was the size of a walnut. Inspired by his frequent stays at Birmingham Children’s Hospital and the staff who have cared for him, Max painted doctors as superheroes, rushing around a ward saving patients and showing off their superpowers.

l Three year-old Toby Craddock from Cookley, near Kidderminster, has leukaemia and is nearly a year into a three-year treatment cycle.

His dad is Wolverhampton Wanderers footballer and artist Jody Craddock. They contributed a painting to the exhibition that has been created by the whole family, mum and dad, Shelley and Jody, Toby and his two brothers Joseph, eight, and Luke, six.

Toby’s mum, Shelley Craddock, said: “Toby painted his canvas with the help of his brothers and mum and dad. The balloon symbolises Birmingham Children’s Hospital. It would be brilliant if all the family could be there with Toby, including our dogs Twinkle and Scamp. “Toby is holding the balloon and wearing a cape because he is our super hero.”