COLLEGE students are set to become art tutors for the day so they can help run creative activities for up to 200 schoolchildren.

Stoke-on-Trent College's performing arts centre is teaming up with Moorpark Junior School, in Burslem, for the artistic fun this Thursday.

It will mark an event called 'Speight of the Art Day', which has been set up in memory of artist and children's TV presenter Mark Speight.

Mark's father, Oliver Speight, founded the Newcastle-based Speight of the Art Foundation, which works with youngsters from across the UK.

Mr Speight said the aim was to "seek out artistic talents in children and to encourage them to use their skills as a means of self-expression and motivation".

He added: "The workshop at Stoke-on-Trent College is an extension of that. We will not only be encouraging children to develop their talents, but getting them to work with the creative students at college.

"In turn, this will help the students to develop their talents as mentors and teachers, raising their aspirations, and helping them to work towards a career in the arts."

The creative pursuits will take place at the college's Burslem campus.