TALK about making a statement! Arty youngsters from the Craylands estate in Basildon have shown they've got designs on a bright future, by creating their own special billboard.

Children and teenagers who live on the estate have been busy spraypainting a variety of works of art which have been printed on the billboard as part of a community-wide project.

The project was organised by the youth charity Theatre Resource, along with Swan Housing and Basildon Council, to show off the talent and creativity of Craylands residents, and to brighten the area while redevelopment work takes place.

The vibrant billboard, which is located outside the Swan Housing centre in Exeter Close, was unveiled in front of an excited crowd of Craylands residents on Wednesday.

Along with their proud parents, many of the youngsters who contributed to the eye-catching creation were on hand to receive praise for their unique offering.

Sonia Cakebread, of Theatre Resource, said: "We have been working with children and young people living on Craylands to create paintings, collage and digital art work, exploring their views about their community.

"We wanted them to demonstrate how they think the estate looks, how it feels and how it might be in the future.

"This artwork is displayed on the billboard as a tribute to the young people's positivity and engagement in the art project."

She added: "The billboard does what it's supposed to do - it draws attention to the work and coming together of the youngsters on the estate and gives them something to be proud of.

"The unveiling was lovely and the youngsters were joined by their parents and there were a lot of proud smiles around.

"This has been a true community project and one that's been a great success."