Jenni Rant of SAW trust with artist Lara A'Court, left and Easton College principal David Lawrence at the opening of the picture made of earth, showing the soil strata of Norfolk going on show in the Forum. Photo: Steve Adams

More than 400 youngsters have helped turn mud into art as part of an exciting project which combines science and creative arts.

Dr Jenni Rant, project manager of the Science Art and Writing (SAW) Trust, was asked by the Centre of Contemporary Agriculture (CCA) design children’s activities for their stand at the Royal Norfolk Show.

Children made mini profiles with the soil types of Norfolk, hunted for mini beasts in the leaf litter and artist Lara A’Court helped 450 children blend soils, sand and stones with glue for painting a large piece of community art entitled The Land Beneath Our Feet.

Visitors to the Forum this weekend were able to see the finished work which was put on display on Friday and remained there until 5pm on Sunday before being moved to Easton College’s school barns.

Dr Rant said she was “I’m really pleased with how it turned out.”

The imaginative project helped give youngsters a greater understanding of soil for food production.

Thomas Mack, six, said “I liked painting with the mud, it was really fun and I’d like to do it again and again and again! It was really messy!”