ARTY pupils from a York primary school have contributed to the Tour de France cultural celebrations in the city.

Youngsters from Westfield Primary School, in Acomb, have produced work inspired by the art of local artist Peter Myers, who has Asperger’s syndrome.

The pupils’ creations went on display at an exhibition of Peter’s work at Acomb Explore Library.

The project was the idea of the company Artistic Autistic, set up by students at the University of York to help Peter promote and sell his artwork. The company received funding from City of York Council to stage a series of workshops at the school and a public exhibition of the children’s work alongside the artist’s.

Dr Katie Slocombe, of the university’s psychology department, who helped to set up the company, said: “The workshops were a great success: the students were able to explain some of the fundamentals of autism to the children and how it can change how you see the world.

“The attention to detail in Peter’s artwork is a really vivid demonstration of that and the children were inspired by his designs and produced some outstanding artwork.”

Mr Myers judged the children’s work and presented prizes to the winners.

He said: “I am flattered that the children liked my artwork and completed the project – I was really impressed with what they produced.”

Meanwhile, a teaching fellow at the university’s French department, Dr Angela O’Flaherty, has created an online quiz, Le Tour de France virtuel, that she has been running with city secondary school students doing French, based on the theme of the Tour de France.

About 50 pupils from nine different schools are coming to the university on July 3 for a day of language-based events and a prize-giving for the winners.