Southport school children have been drawing on their artistic talents to enhance the hoardings currently around the Marine Lake Events Centre site.
 
Pupils from both primary and high schools in the borough were invited to put their creative minds to paper by Sefton Council, with winning designs set to adorn the hoardings on Southport Promenade.
 
The creative masterclass is part of the Local Authority’s commitment to giving back to the community and involving residents of all ages in the creation of the Marine Lake Events Centre (MLEC).

 
Representatives from the MLEC project including AFL Architecture and consultants Gardiner and Theobald were also on hand as the team looked to inspire the school children, who will ultimately feel some of the biggest benefits from the project.
 
Pupils were also given the opportunity to learn more about career prospects in the architecture and construction sector, as well as what economic benefits the MLEC project will bring, as part of the Southport Learning Partnership Primary School Careers Event.
 
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills said:  “Every pupil who attended was an absolute credit to their school and some of the insight and love they showed for their town was incredibly heartwarming.
 
“Without exception every single students was engaged, interested and passionate about our work on the Marine Lake Events Centre because they know it can potentially play a huge role in their future careers.
 
“The standard of artwork created made our job of judging a very challenging task!
 
“I can’t wait to see the finished designs on the MLEC hoardings.”
 
Pupils were given three categories for inspiration which were ‘What I Love About Southport,’ ‘Things I Love About Nature’ and ‘Jobs I Think About In Construction.’
 
After a tough judging process winners were chosen from Marshside Primary, St John’s Ainsdale, St Phillips and Farnborough Road.

Ian Raikes, Chief Executive of Southport Learning Trust, said: "I would like to thank Sefton Council, AFL Architects and Gardiner and Theobald for an amazing Primary Careers Day supporting our pupils involvement in the regeneration of Southport.  

"The pupils from the majority of our primary schools in Southport supported by Southport Learning Trust Student Careers Champions experienced high quality work related learning supported by employers  with a passion for what they do.  

"So many pupils both from secondary and primary schools left inspired and wanting to gain experience as architects and planners!"