DODDISCOMBSLEIGH Primary School pupils have created an amazing display of facemasks to greet visitors to next month’s high profile village art event.

The pupils worked with artist Cara Roxanne to make the colourful masks, which will be seen at the ninth Doddiscombsleigh Art Show – from October 27 to 29 – supported by popular author Michael Morpugo.

The biennial exhibition, staged entirely by volunteers, used to be held in the school but became so popular that it moved to the much larger Teign Valley Community Hall, Christow.

It attracts works by some of the region’s top artists and proceeds from sales go to the school.

Tens of thousands of pounds have been raised for new equipment and facilities and among the well-known supporters is War Horse author Michael Morpurgo, who is now the show’s patron.

Michael said: ‘The Doddiscombsleigh Art Show is a truly wonderful initiative that helps a small school hugely and I am honoured to have been asked to be the patron. These kind of initiatives should be widely encouraged.’

The children’s mask-making efforts were supported by the Helen Foundation, a Teignbridge-based charity which encourages youth arts projects.

Teacher Tizzy McManus said the workshop ‘went down a storm’ with her young charges.

She said: ‘The whole school worked together to produce the most wonderfully imaginative animal masks, constructed from card, tissue paper, paint, feathers and glitter.

‘It was a fantastic experience for everyone. The resulting masks will form an amazing display in the entrance hall at the Doddi Art Show during October half-term.

‘The show truly is the real thing, a genuinely important date on the South West’s artistic calendar and we’re so lucky to benefit from it. We hope plenty of people will take the time to visit and see the fabulous works on display, not least our masks.’

The art show is open from 10am to 5pm on October 27 and 28 and 10am to 1pm October 29.