PUPILS with an artistic flair at a Worcester school have been helping design a garden of tranquillity'.

Children from Hindlip CE First School have come up with a range of designs for the garden, which is to be planted at West Mercia Constabulary's headquarters in Hindlip, Worcester.

The school has been allocated an area of the grounds and pupils in classes four and five have been asked to create a design for the garden of peace and tranquillity.

These are now on display and police staff and visitors have been voting for their favourite design.

The winning design will be announced at the beginning of March and will then be planted in spring along with the rest of the garden.

Facilities manager Marie Snow, who is responsible for the project, said: "We wanted to create a space at Hindlip where staff and visitors could go to relax, contemplate or just take time out from their busy lives in the peace and tranquillity nature has to offer. The plants and structures in the garden will provide sights, sounds and aromas for everyone to enjoy."

The garden will be developed and looked after voluntarily by police officers and staff who have formed a working group to oversee it.

They have already been working on the garden, which has been created using recycled and sustainable materials wherever possible.

Ms Snow said the force wanted to encourage local communities and schools to help develop the area, which is why they asked the pupils at the school to design part of the garden. She said: "The children will be actively involved in the planting of their area in the spring and will help with the ongoing maintenance of the garden."

The winning design will be announced in the school's assembly.