Two community artists have been appointed to spearhead a Bradford school's drive to connect with its local neighbourhood through the visual arts.

Rhodesway School at Allerton is a specialist visual arts college and this special status brings extra Government cash.

With this money, it is supposed to work with partners in other schools and with the community to share its expertise in the arts.

It has a range of projects in the pipeline, and now has two artists working with staff to get them off the ground. Deni Francis and Mike Grainger have already begun working with the school's pupils.

Mrs Francis has run Christmas card-making workshops with youngsters in the school's learning support unit, which will be sold on behalf of the Barnardo's charity.

The unusual handcrafted cards, made using a special monoprint technique, will raise cash for the children's charity at a sale to be held on the Allerton estate on Saturday.

Pupil Jamie Callaghan commented: "This is probably one of the best things we have ever done at school."

Classmate Emma Buchanen, who has been inspired by the workshops, added: "I really like doing this."

She has also produced a large scale mural which now adorns the wall of the LSU.

Elaine Ratheram, who runs the school's learning support unit, said: "This is a good partnership with the community as most of the students involved will also be at the sale on Saturday.

''It will be good for them to show they have the confidence to go on the stall and meet the public.''

She added: ''We like these art workshops because we like to find other ways children can express themselves, and this is one of them."

Mrs Francis also runs a life drawing class after school which is open to sixth formers from neighbouring schools, and in the New Year will be open to other local people.

Mr Grainger is working with children to design an art feature for the new Caf West Healthy Living Centre in Allerton.

Georgia Woollard, the arts and community manager at the school, commented: "Deni and Mike have started off really well and there has been lots of enthusiasm, I hope they feel welcomed by the school, some really good work has already been produced."

l The young artists' work is going on sale at Barnardo's, Allerton on Saturday.