BUDDING young artists may have been unearthed at Chippenham's St Mary's following a hugely successful exhibition on Tuesday.

A total of 342 paintings were on show at the art display, put together by the nursery school children up to Year 6, where they raised hundreds of pounds for the school and a school in Kenya that former teacher, Mary Dunlea, now runs.

Nursery children contributed hand prints to the exhibition, reception did collaged bottles and owls, Year 1 and 2 collaged seascapes, Year 3 and 4 did Van Gogh paintings and Year 5 and 6 did Picasso style works - all of which was professionally mounted, framed and catalogued for the night.

"It was a fabulous evening with a really great atmosphere, everyone was buzzing to show off their work and the parents were mightily impressed," said teacher Angela Gabriel, who organised the exhibition.

"The quality of the work was very high. I am so proud of them and how they have embraced this. They have thrown themselves into this project and it has really paid off. We may have unearthed some future artists.

"Originally we had planned to get the kids to go to an art exhibition as this term our theme is called art gallery however it was difficult to get that sorted so we have brought an art gallery to us.

"This has been a very worthwhile experience for them all. They have learned more about the world of art and many famous painters. It really has paid off."