A TOWN centre building site has undergone a colourful transformation thanks to schoolchildren in Yate.

Youngsters were given the challenge of brightening up the hoardings around the new Yate Health Centre, which is currently under construction in Yate Shopping Centre.

Pupils at The Ridge Junior School, Broadway Infant School, Rodford Primary School, St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, Raysfield Junior School, Fromebank Junior School and Chipping Sodbury Secondary School were involved in the project, run by South Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust (PCT) and builder Kier Western Ian Longden, PCT project manager, said: "With the boards being around the site until next autumn, the PCT was keen to involve local children in thinking about their health and the services available"

Children were given the theme of health and had to draw and paint pictures to go on display to everyone walking past the site.

David Beeley, Ridge Junior School headteacher, said: "This was a great opportunity for our students to explore what their health means to them and their families.

"Their artwork was of a really high standard and they should be proud to have them on such prominent display. It makes the site more colourful and interesting for people walking by, too."

The new £12.5 million centre will feature an integrated children’s centre, funded by South Gloucestershire Council, to provide targeted advice, information and support to young people and their families. A new outpatient department, diagnostic test centre including X-rays and a minor injuries unit are being transferred to the centre from Frenchay Hospital.

The old health centre has been demolished on the site and the foundations for the new community health and integrated children’s centre are under construction. The health centre is scheduled to open next year.