Local schoolchildren have found a wintry way to show off their artistic talents and get into the Christmas spirit - inspired by a festive attraction in Swadlincote.

After seeing how pupils had been captivated by The Snowman and The Snowdog sculpture trail in Swadlincote, teachers at Belmont Primary School set all year groups the challenge of coming up with their own designs.

While Foundation decorated some stunning 3D models, those in Years One and Two created their offerings using a variety of different media.

Upper-school children's designs were based around themes or topics such as friendship, the environment, diversity and celebrating the area where they live.

Belmont head teacher Julie Fern said: "The Snowman and The Snowdog trail in Swadlincote has really captured the imagination of so many of our children and their families this Christmas.

"It's been lovely listening to them talk about their excitement and experiences of visiting the trail and discovering the wonderful designs.

"We wanted to find a way to harness their enthusiasm in school, as well as showing off their artistic talents.

"The standard of designs and the inspiration behind them have been so impressive – all of our pupils should be extremely proud of themselves."

Twenty stunning The Snowman and The Snowdog models, inspired by Raymond Briggs' heartwarming animated films, arrived in Swadlincote on November 20 and will be in place until January 16.

They are dotted around the town centre as part of a specially designed walking trail, with the artwork on the The Snowman sculptures based on the much-loved Twelve Days of Christmas song.

The initiative has been brought to Swadlincote by South Derbyshire District Council in partnership with Wild in Art and Penguin Ventures (part of Penguin Random House UK), supported by Welcome Back funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Using Welcome Back money, MIH Solutions – a strategic communications and PR agency based on the Bretby Business Park near Burton upon Trent – has been appointed by the Council to support the authority in promoting the trail and the district's town centres more widely.

The trail has attracted thousands of visitors from the local area and beyond, increasing footfall in and around Swadlincote's High Street in the process and providing a welcome pre-Christmas shot in the arm for local businesses.

Wild in Art Project Manager Kate O'Callaghan said: "We are absolutely delighted to have been able to bring the magic of The Snowman and The Snowdog to Swadlincote. It's wonderful to hear how people have visited the trail and enjoyed discovering the sculptures."

One outstanding sculpture design by a pupil in each Belmont Primary School year group was selected as a winner.

Chairman of the Council, Councillor Malcolm Gee, presented the designers with a certificate and a copy of Michael Morpurgo's The Snowman, a book which re-imagines Raymond Briggs' classic story for a new generation of readers.