CHILDREN from two Sydenham schools have used spray paint and paint brushes to transform a neglected Catford footbridge.

Under the guidance of street artists Morganico and Steve Ball, girls from Sydenham School and boys from Forest Hill spent two days (July 15 and 16) covering the Linear Park bridge with designs.

The final product featured everything from insect larvae with gigantic eyes to a fish sporting an elegant moustache.

Sydenham School student Sadiqua Njeeb said: "It is good for kids to be involved in a project like this. 

"We have a good reason for being here, and it’s a good cause." 

The £4,600 project is part of environmental charity Thames21’s education programme, and is one of many initiatives aimed at restoring life to the three-kilometre River Pool, which runs from Bell Green to Catford.

Thames21’s environmental education coordinator Joanne Bradley said: "I have been amazed by the students’ application over the two-days and how what they have learnt has emerged in the work.

"We have already had passers-by coming up to say what an improvement the mural makes and that’s exactly what we hoped to achieve, encouraging community engagement with the environment and making people aware that there is a river and an oasis of green here in what is otherwise a very built up area."